DbKB a knowledge graph dataset for diabetes: A system biology approach.

Diabetes has emerged as a prevalent disease, affecting millions of individuals annually according to statistics. Numerous studies have delved into identifying key genes implicated in the causal mechanisms of diabetes. This paper specifically concentrates on 20 functional genes identified in various studies contributing to the complexities associated with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), encompassing complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disorders, and foot ulcers. These functional genes serve as a foundation for identifying regulatory genes, their regulators, and protein-protein interactions. The current study introduces a multi-layer Knowledge Graph (DbKB based on MSNMD: Multi-Scale Network Model for Diabetes), encompassing biological networks such as gene regulatory networks and protein-protein interaction networks. This Knowledge Graph facilitates the visualization and querying of inherent relationships between biological networks associated with diabetes, enabling the retrieval of regulatory genes, functional genes, interacting proteins, and their relationships. Through the integration of biologically relevant genetic, molecular, and regulatory information, we can scrutinize interactions among T2D candidate genes [1] and ascertain diseased genes [2]. The first layer of regulators comprises direct regulators to the functional genes, sourced from the TRRUST database in the human transcription factors dataset, thereby forming a multi-layered directed graph. A comprehensive exploration of these direct regulators reveals a total of 875 regulatory transcription factors, constituting the initial layer of regulating transcription factors. Moving to the second layer, we identify 550 regulatory genes. These functional genes engage with other proteins to form complexes, exhibiting specific functions. Leveraging these layers, we construct a Knowledge Graph aimed at identifying interaction-driven sub-networks involving (i) regulating functional genes, (ii) functional genes, and (iii) protein-protein interactions.

Short Versus Long Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation in Patients with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains uncertain, with increasing data suggestive of acceptable short-term duration. Metabolically accelerated atherosclerosis associated with diabetes makes it essential to study short-term DAPT in this subgroup. With limited studies determining optimal DAPT strategies after second-generation stents in this subset, we aimed to establish the optimal duration of DAPT in the diabetic population using second-generation stents. QUESTION: To determine optimal DAPT duration in diabetic population undergoing PCI in 2nd generation stents. DATA SOURCES: We conducted an electronic database search of randomized controlled trials from PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. STUDY DESIGN: A meta-analysis was conducted comparing outcomes of short-term (3-6 months) DAPT therapy versus long-term (12 months) DAPT therapy in the diabetic population undergoing PCI with second-generation stents. RESULTS: A total of 5 randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 3117 diabetic patients. Short-term DAPT did not show any statistical difference from long-term DAPT in achieving primary outcomes (relative ratio: 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-1.35, P = 0.84). Overall mortality (OR 0.92; 95% CI, 0.52-1.63, P = 0.98), myocardial infarction [odds ratio (OR)OR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.53-1.94, P = 0.85], stent thrombosis (OR 1.20; 95% CI, 0.55-2.60, P = 0.55), target vessel revascularization (OR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.45-2.73, P = 0.74), and stroke (OR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.082-2.43, P = 0.81) did not show any statistical difference between the 2 groups. Similarly, a subgroup analysis of study population comparing 6 versus 12 months of DAPT in diabetic population did not show any difference in net primary outcomes (relative ratio: 0.86, 95% CI 0.45-1.45, P = 0.60). There was no significant heterogeneity noted between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed no statistically significant benefit of longer DAPT over shorter DAPT therapy in patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stent in patients with diabetes.

Invasive Aspergillosis Involving the Mediastinum in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report.

We report a rare case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis invading the mediastinum and the left atrium. A 38-year-old female was hospitalized for cough, shortness of breath and fever. She had a past medical history of tuberculosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans identified an ill-defined enhancing mediastinal soft tissue density mass encasing the heart and major vessels. The cardiac echocardiography showed global hypokinesia, low ejection fraction and a large echogenic density in the left atrium. The pathology from the bronchoscopic biopsy observed abundant fungal hyphae which were stained with periodic Acid-Schiff and Gomori's methenamine silver. Despite the treatment with antifungal agents, the patient could not be saved. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which involves the mediastinum and the heart, is very rare in immunocompetent patients.

Antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory and antispasmodic activities of Matricaria chamomilla are mediated predominantly through K(+)-channels activation.

BACKGROUND: Matricaria chamomilla commonly known as "Chamomile" (Asteraceae) is a popular medicinal herb widely used in indigenous system of medicine for a variety of ailments. However, there is no detailed study available showing its effectiveness in hyperactive gut disorders like, abdominal colic and diarrhoea. This study was designed to determine the pharmacological basis for the folkloric use of Matricaria chamomilla in diarrhoea. METHODS: The crude aqueous-methanolic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (Mc.Cr) was studied for its protective effect in mice against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation. The isolated rabbit jejunum was selected for the in-vitro experiments using tissue bath assembly coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. RESULTS: Oral administration of Mc.Cr to mice at 150 and 300 mg/kg showed marked antidiarrhoeal and antisecretory effects against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation, simultaneously, similar to the effects of cromakalim and loperamide. These effects of plant extract were attenuated in animals pretreated with K(+) channel antagonist, glibenclamide (GB) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). When tested in isolated rabbit jejunum, Mc.Cr caused a dose-dependent (0.3-3 mg/ml) relaxation of spontaneous and low K(+) (25 mM)-induced contractions, while it exhibited weak inhibitory effect on high K(+) (80 mM). The inhibitory effect of Mc.Cr on low K(+)-induced contractions was partially inhibited in the presence of GB, while completely blocked by 4-AP. Cromakalim, an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener, caused complete relaxation of low K(+)-induced contractions with little effect on high K(+). Pretreatment of tissues with GB blocked the inhibitory effects of cromakalim on low K(+), while the presence of 4-AP did not alter the original effect. Verapamil, a Ca(++) channel antagonist, caused complete relaxation of both low and high K(+)-induced contractions with similar potency. The inhibitory effect of verapamil was insensitive to GB or 4-AP. When assessed for Ca(++) antagonist like activity, Mc.Cr at high concentrations caused rightward shift in the Ca(++) concentration-response curves with suppression of the maximum response, similar to the effect of verapamil, while cromakalim did not show similar effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that Matricaria chamomilla possesses antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory and antispasmodic activities mediated predominantly through K(+)-channels activation along with weak Ca(++) antagonist effect.