DNA Bloom Filter enables anti-contamination and file version control for DNA-based data storage.

DNA storage is one of the most promising ways for future information storage due to its high data storage density, durable storage time and low maintenance cost. However, errors are inevitable during synthesizing, storing and sequencing. Currently, many error correction algorithms have been developed to ensure accurate information retrieval, but they will decrease storage density or increase computing complexity. Here, we apply the Bloom Filter, a space-efficient probabilistic data structure, to DNA storage to achieve the anti-error, or anti-contamination function. This method only needs the original correct DNA sequences (referred to as target sequences) to produce a corresponding data structure, which will filter out almost all the incorrect sequences (referred to as non-target sequences) during sequencing data analysis. Experimental results demonstrate the universal and efficient filtering capabilities of our method. Furthermore, we employ the Counting Bloom Filter to achieve the file version control function, which significantly reduces synthesis costs when modifying DNA-form files. To achieve cost-efficient file version control function, a modified system based on yin-yang codec is developed.

Towards practical and robust DNA-based data archiving using the yin-yang codec system.

DNA is a promising data storage medium due to its remarkable durability and space-efficient storage. Early bit-to-base transcoding schemes have primarily pursued information density, at the expense of introducing biocompatibility challenges or decoding failure. Here we propose a robust transcoding algorithm named the yin-yang codec, using two rules to encode two binary bits into one nucleotide, to generate DNA sequences that are highly compatible with synthesis and sequencing technologies. We encoded two representative file formats and stored them in vitro as 200 nt oligo pools and in vivo as a ~54 kbps DNA fragment in yeast cells. Sequencing results show that the yin-yang codec exhibits high robustness and reliability for a wide variety of data types, with an average recovery rate of 99.9% above 104 molecule copies and an achieved recovery rate of 87.53% at ≤102 copies. Additionally, the in vivo storage demonstration achieved an experimentally measured physical density close to the theoretical maximum.

Two new steroidal alkaloids from the rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. and their anti-TYLCV activity.

Two new steroidal alkaloids (1-2), together with seven known related steroidal alkaloids (3-9), were isolated from the rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and by comparison with literature data. Compound 1 possessed a rare 1, 3-oxazolidine unit within varazine-type alkaloids, and 2 was a 9-hydroxy-4-one derivative of 3-veratroylgermine. All isolates were evaluated inhibit tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) activity. Compounds 5 and 7 (40 µg/mL) showed a significant anti-TYLCV activity in the host Nicotiana benthamiana with inhibition rates 74.6% and 63.4%, respectively, which are higher than that of the positive control ningnanmycin (51.4%).

Prevention and control strategies for children Kashin-Beck disease in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate prevention and control strategies for children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We conducted literature searches of articles indexed in Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Springerlink, Elsevier, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang data until February 2019. Search terms included "Kashin-Beck disease" or "KBD," and "improvement of water" or "change of grain" or "salt-rich selenium" or "comprehensive measures." Eligible studies were prospective trials of interventions in endemic area. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent authors using predefined data fields that also included quality evaluation. RESULTS: We screened 1183 potentially relevant articles, and included 22 studies that reported 24 trials, with data from 3700 healthy children and 2961 children KBD. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (95% CIs) for primary prevention new incidence in healthy children following interventions to comprehensive measures, change of grain, salt-rich selenium, and improvements of water were 0.15 (0.02, 0.95), 0.15 (0.03, 0.70), 0.19 (0.09, 0.38), and 0.20 (0.09, 0.42), respectively. The OR (95% CI) for clinical improvement in children KBD following interventions to improvement of water, salt-rich selenium, comprehensive measures, and change of grain were 5.03 (3.21, 7.89), 4.39 (3.15, 6.11), 2.98 (1.61, 5.52), and 2.35 (1.59, 3.47), respectively. All interventions showed significant differences and were effective (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive measures and change of grain were the most effective measures in preventing new case, whereas improvement of water and salt-rich selenium resulted in clinical improvements in children KBD.

Effect of Acupuncture of She Medicine on Cerebral Hemodynamics in Migraine Patients / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy of She medicine on cerebral hemodynamics in migraine patients, and to further verify its therapeutic efficacy and preliminarily reveal the action mechanism in treating migraine. Method 120 Eligible subjects were randomized into two groups. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture of She medicine, while the control group was intervened by Western medication, 10 d as a treatment course, for 2 courses in total at a 2-day interval. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was adopted to observe the average blood flow velocity of cerebral arteries before and after the treatment. Result The total effective rate was 82.8% in the treatment group versus 71.4% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) by rank-sum test. Before the treatment, the abnormity rate of cerebral artery blood flow was 62.8% in the treatment group versus 61.9% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05), indicating the comparability; after the treatment, the abnormity rate of cerebral artery blood flow was 25.9% in the treatment group versus 35.3% in the control group, and the between-group was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture of She medicine is effective in treating migraine, and it can significantly improve the cerebral hemodynamics.

Study of two kinds of Alzheimer's disease tree shrew models / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the optimized tree shrews model of Alzheimer's disease through comparison of the pathology changes of brain neurons between the two kinds of tree shrew models.Methods Fifty tree shrews were randomly divided into five groups with 10 in each group:control group,high dose D-galactose combined with ibotenic acid (IBO) group,low dose D-galactose combined with IBO group [intraperitoneal injection D-galactose combined with IBO injection into bilateral basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM)],high dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group,and low dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group (injection into bilateral BNM).Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of brain neurons.The expressions of choline acetyltransterase (ChAT) and synaptophysin(SYP) in the brains were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Western blot was used to detect the expression of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42),amyloid precursor protein (APP) and phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau).Results The HE staining showed there were different degrees of morphological changes in the brains of model groups.The changes in the high dose D-galactose and high dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group were more obvious than those in low dose D-galactose and Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the levels of ChAT and SYP in the model groups decreased compared with control group,and the decline in high dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group was more marked than that in low dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group(P ＜0.01).Western blot revealed that the levels of Aβ1-42,APP,p-tau in the model groups increased compared with control group,and the rise in high dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group was more apparent than that in low dose Aβ25-35 combined with IBO group (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The method of modeling by Aβ25-35 combined with IBO injection into bilateral BNM is more suitable for the establishment of Alzheimer's disease model.

[Effect of compound branch chain amino acid injection on nutritional support in patients after radical resection for colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of compound branch chain amino acid(BCAA) injection on nutritional support in patients after radical resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Fifty patients with radical resection for colorectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups, and received compound branch chain amino acid (n=25) or compound amino acid(n=25) as control per day from postoperative day(POD)1 to POD 7. The levels of total protein, albumin, pre-albumin, transferring, nitrogen balance and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: On POD 8, the levels of albumin, pre- albumin, transferring were (36.12+/-3.16)g/L, (237.10+/-37.29)mg/L, and (2.18+/- 1.34)g/L in study group, and (30.61+/-3.55)g/L, (191.73+/-27.60)mg/L, and (1.71+/-0.84)g/L respectively in the control group(all P< 0.05). Nitrogen balance increased significantly from POD5, and increased to normal on POD 6 in study group, significantly higher than that in the control group (9.91+/-6.53 vs - 9.73+/-11.21, P=0.024). The complication rate of incision infection and delayed healing was 8.3% in study group, significantly lower than 38.1% in the control group(P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with compound amino acid, compound branch chain amino acid injection can reduce proteolysis, correct negative nitrogen balance and promote wound healing.

[Logistic regression of the environmental risk factors in areas with Kashin-Beck disease].

OBJECTIVE: In order to find the factors influencing the prevalence of KBD, the possible nosogenetic factors of the family in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) areas were analyzed. METHODS: The possible nosogenetic factors in mild, middle, high prevalence KBD areas were analyzed by logistic regression. The differences of the factors between three kinds of KBD areas were compared. RESULTS: Univariate analysis found sanitary conditions and meat-egg-mild were associated with KBD prevalence in all kinds KBD areas. Binary logistic analysis of multivariate suggested the possible nosogenetic factors were different in the different kind of KBD areas. It was wheat in mild prevalence area, sanitary conditions and meat-egg-mild in middle prevalence area, and sanitary conditions, rice and meat-egg-mild in high prevalence area. CONCLUSION: The risk factors are associated with the kind of KBD areas. The different preventive methods should be taken according to the kind of KBD areas, which will improve the effect of prevention.

[Epidemiological characters of Kashin-Beck disease in nuclear families].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characters of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in nuclear families, and to probe the pathogenetic mechanism and its etiology. METHODS: Clinical diagnosis was used to identify nuclear families in KBD areas. Based on the clinical manifestation of parents in the nuclear families, 4938 nuclear families were divided into four types. According to the seriousness in KBD areas, prevalence of offspring and family aggregation in low, middle and high prevalence areas were formed and data was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Type of nuclear family was associated to the degree of disease seriousness in the areas. (2) There was an aggregation of disease among the offsprings in the nuclear families of medium and high prevalence diseased areas. (3) There was an aggregation of offspring in the nuclear family of both parents or father alone who were suffered from KBD. (4) The prevalence of offspring in nuclear family of both parents with KBD was obviously higher than that in the nuclear family with single parent or neither having KBD. CONCLUSION: The degree of diseased areas seemed to influence the seriousness of KBD in individuals. The prevalence of parents in nuclear families might play a role in the pathogenesis of KBD.

Clinical study of effect of tianzhi granule on senile vascular demetia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effect of Tianzhi Granule (TZK) on senile vascular dementia (VaD), which is classified as sthenia of liver-yang.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Two hundred VaD patients were treated with TZK (0.5 g/bag), which was taken one bag each, three times a day. The treatment course was one month and they were treated for rwo courses.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>TZK could remarkably increase gnosia and activity, with no striking difference from that of positive control group (P > 0.05). Simultaneously, TZK could significantly improve the clinical syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine and viability. It could also drastically reduce the whole blood and plasma viscosity and improve erythrodegeneration and abnormality of aggregation index in the abnormal blood viscosity patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TMC has certain effects on senile VaD.</p>