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Objectives. We aim to identify the key biomarker of acute rejection (AR) after kidney transplantation via bioinformatics methods. Methods. The gene expression data GSE75693 of 30 samples with stable kidney transplantation recipients and 15 AR samples were downloaded and analyzed by the limma package to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were done to explore the biological functions and potential important pathways of DEGs. Finally, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and literature mining were applied to construct the cocitation network and to select the hub protein. Results. A total of 437 upregulated genes and 353 downregulated genes were selected according to P1.0. DEGs of AR are mainly located on membranes and impact the activation of receptors in immune responses. In the PPI network, Src kinase, lymphocyte kinase (LCK), CD3G, B2M, interferon-γ, CD3D, tumor necrosis factor, VAV1, and CD3E in the T cell receptor signaling pathway were selected as important factors, and LCK was identified as the hub protein. Conclusion. LCK, via acting on T-cell receptor, might be a potential therapeutic target for AR after kidney transplantation.

A nuclear magnetic resonance- (NMR-) based metabolomics method was used to identify differential metabolites of methanol extracts obtained from six parts of Peganum harmala L. (P. harmala), namely, the root, stem, leaf, flower, testa, and seed. Two multivariate statistical analysis methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), were combined to clearly distinguish among the P. harmala samples from the six different parts. Eleven differential components were screened by the PLS-DA loading plot, and the relative contents were calculated by univariate analysis of variance. Chemometric results showed significant differences in the metabolites of the different parts of P. harmala. The seeds contained large amounts of harmaline, harmine, and vasicine compared to other organs. The acetic acid, proline, lysine, and sucrose contents of the roots were significantly higher than those of the other parts. In the testa, the vasicine, asparagine, choline, and 4-hydroxyisoleucine contents were clearly dominant. The obtained data revealed the distribution characteristics of the metabolomes of the different P. harmala parts and provided fundamental knowledge for the rational development of its medicinal parts.

Background and Aims. There is scarcity of data in literature regarding the treatment response to sofosbuvir- (SOF-) based therapies in Chinese patients with chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOF-based regimens for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients without cirrhosis in a real-world setting in mainland China. Methods. A total of 226 patients receiving SOF plus daclatasvir (DCV), ledipasvir (LDV), or velpatasvir (VEL) were enrolled from December 2014 to June 2017. The primary observation point was the percentage of patients with a sustained virologic response (SVR) at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12), and all adverse events were monitored during treatment and follow-up period. Results. The overall SVR12 rate was 96% (216/226), and individual SVR12 ranged from 93% to 100% in different treatment groups. No significant differences of efficacy were detected between genotypes 1b and 6a (98% for GT 1b versus 100% for GT 6a, P=0.322). Comparing the high success rates in GT 1b and 6a patients, SVR12 was relatively low in GT 3a and 3b patients. A significant difference in efficacy was observed between GT 3 and not GT 3 patients (77% versus 98%, respectively, P

A number of large underground oil storage spaces will be constructed in deep salt mines in China in the coming years. According to the general geological survey, the first salt cavern oil storage base of China is planned to be built in Jintan salt mine. In this research, the geological feasibility of the salt mine for oil storage is identified in detail as follows. (1) The characteristics of regional structure, strata sediment, and impermeable layer distribution of Jintan salt mine were evaluated and analyzed. (2) The tightness of cap rock was evaluated in reviews of macroscopic geology and microscopic measuring. (3) According to the geological characteristics of Jintan salt mine, the specific targeted formation for building underground oil storage was chosen, and the sealing of nonsalt interlayers was evaluated. (4) Based on the sonar measuring results of the salt caverns, the characteristics of solution mining salt caverns were analyzed. In addition, the preferred way of underground oil storage construction was determined. (5) Finally, the results of closed well observation in solution mining salt caverns were assessed. The research results indicated that Jintan salt mine has the basic geological conditions for building large-scale underground oil storage.