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• Cross evaluation is introduced into environmental performance evaluation based on DDF. • A cross-direction evaluation method considering undesirable outputs is proposed. • A new direction vector scanning method based on polar coordinates is developed. When using directional distance function (DDF) for efficiency evaluation, each decision-making unit tends to choose the direction that maximizes its own efficiency for evaluation, which may cause the efficiency score to be overestimated and unrecognized by others. This paper is concerned with the fair evaluation of the DDF in data envelopment analysis. The concept of cross evaluation is introduced into the environmental performance evaluation based on DDF, and then a new cross-direction evaluation method considering undesirable outputs is proposed. In addition, we propose a new direction vector scanning method based on polar coordinates to realize the peer-evaluation of efficient decision-making unit. Finally, our approach is applied to analyze the transportation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiomyopathy is a complex type of myocardial disease, and its incidence has increased significantly in recent years. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) are two common and indistinguishable types of cardiomyopathy. Results: Here, a systematic multi-omics integration approach was proposed to identify cardiomyopathy-related core genes that could distinguish normal, DCM and ICM samples using cardiomyopathy expression profile data based on a human metabolic network. First, according to the differentially expressed genes between different states (DCM/ICM and normal, or DCM and ICM) of samples, three sets of initial modules were obtained from the human metabolic network. Two permutation tests were used to evaluate the significance of the Pearson correlation coefficient difference score of the initial modules, and three candidate modules were screened out. Then, a cardiomyopathy risk module that was significantly related to DCM and ICM was determined according to the significance of the module score based on Markov random field. Finally, based on the shortest path between cardiomyopathy known genes, 13 core genes related to cardiomyopathy were identified. These core genes were enriched in pathways and functions significantly related to cardiomyopathy and could distinguish between samples of different states. Conclusion: The identified core genes might serve as potential biomarkers of cardiomyopathy. This research will contribute to identifying potential biomarkers of cardiomyopathy and to distinguishing different types of cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Differentially expressed microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in the placenta and circulating exosomes are of diagnostic value for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In a cross‐sectional study, we identified miRNAs expressed both in the placenta and circulating exosomes of pregnant women with GDM, and estimated their diagnostic value. Materials and Methods: Next‐generation sequencing was used to identify miRNAs in the placenta that were differentially expressed between GDM and normal glucose tolerance pregnancies. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the identified targets. Western blot and transmission electron microscopy were used to validate exosomes. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish diagnostic models based on miRNAs expression, and the diagnostic value was estimated using the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results: We identified 157 dysregulated miRNAs in the placental tissue obtained from GDM pregnancies. Of these, miRNA‐125b was downregulated (P < 0.001), whereas miRNA‐144 was upregulated (P < 0.001). The patterns of these two miRNAs remained the same in circulating exosomes from GDM pregnancies (all P < 0.001). miRNA‐144 levels in the circulating exosomes negatively correlated with body mass index both before pregnancy (P = 0.018) and before delivery (P = 0.039), and positively correlated with blood glucose at 1 h, estimated using the oral glucose tolerance test (P = 0.044). The area under curve for the established diagnostic model was 0.898, which was higher than blood glucose levels at 0 h. Conclusions: These findings suggest that miRNA‐125b and miRNA‐144 are consistently dysregulated in circulating exosomes and the placenta from GDM pregnancies, and are of excellent diagnostic value for GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 2.6 million third-trimester stillbirths occur annually worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. However, the causes of stillbirths are rarely investigated. We performed a retrospective, hospital-based study in Zhejiang Province, southern China, of the causes of third-trimester stillbirths. Causes of stillbirths were classified using the Relevant Condition at Death classification system. From January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018, we enrolled 341 stillbirths (born to 338 women) from 111,275 perinatal fetuses (born to 107,142 women), as well as 293 control cases (born to 291 women). The total incidence of third-trimester stillbirths was 3.06/1000 (341/111,275). There were higher proportions of women with a high body mass index, twins, pregnancy-induced hypertension, assisted reproduction and other risk factors among the antepartum than the control cases. The antepartum stillbirth fetuses were of lower median birth weight and gestational age and had a smaller portion of translucent amniotic fluid than the control cases. The antepartum stillbirth fetuses had a higher frequency of abnormalities detected prenatally and of fetal growth restriction than the control cases. Of 341 cases (born to 338 mothers), the most common causes of stillbirth were fetal conditions [117 (34.3%) cases], umbilical cord [88 (25.8%)], maternal conditions [34 (10.0%)], placental conditions [31 (9.1%)], and intrapartum [28 (8.2%)]. Only eight (2.3%), three (0.9%), and two (0.6%) stillbirths were attributed to amniotic fluid, trauma, and uterus, respectively. In 30 (8.8%) cases, the cause of death was unclassified. In conclusion, targeted investigation can ascertain the causes of most cases of third-trimester stillbirths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease caused by the disturbance of genetic and environmental factors. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a vital role in the genetic dissection of complex diseases. In-depth analysis of SNP-related information could recognize disease-associated biomarkers and further uncover the genetic mechanism of complex diseases. Risk-related variants might act on the disease by affecting gene expression and gene function. Through integrating SNP disease association study and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis, as well as functional enrichment of containing known causal genes, four risk SNPs and four corresponding susceptibility genes were identified utilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of COPD. Of the four risk SNPs, one could be found in the SNPedia database that stored disease-related SNPs and has been linked to a disease in the literature. Four genes showed significant differences from the perspective of normal/disease or variant/nonvariant samples, as well as the high performance of sample classification. It is speculated that the four susceptibility genes could be used as biomarkers of COPD. Furthermore, three of our susceptibility genes have been confirmed in the literature to be associated with COPD. Among them, two genes had an impact on the significance of expression correlation of known causal genes they interact with, respectively. Overall, this research may present novel insights into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of COPD and susceptibility gene identification of other complex diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The active ingredients from Pinellia genus were reviewed. • Pharmacological effects of Pinellia plants were summarized. • Omic analysis was widely applied in Pinellia genus studies. The dried tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit, Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR, also named 'Banxia' in Chinese), is widely used in traditional medicine. This review aims to provide detail summary of active ingredients, pharmacological effects, toxic ingredients, detoxification strategies, and omic researches, etc. Pharmacological ingredients from PR are mainly classified into six categories: alkaloids, amino acids, polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, essential oils, and glucocerebrosides. Diversity of chemical composition determines the broad-spectrum efficacy and gives a foundation for the comprehensive utilization of P. ternata germplasm resources. The pharmacological compounds are involved in inhibition of cancer cells by targeting various pathways, including activation of immune system, inhibition of proliferation and cycle, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. The pharmacological components of PR act on nervous system by targeting neurotransmitters, activating immune system, decreasing apoptosis, and increasing redox system. Lectins, one major class of the toxic ingredients extracted from raw PR, possess significant toxic effects on human cells. Inflammatory factors, cytochrome P450 proteins (CYP) family enzymes, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling factors, transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β) signaling factors, and nervous system, are considered to be the target sites of lectins. Recently, omic analysis is widely applied in Pinellia genus studies. Plastome genome-based molecular markers are deeply used for identifying and resolving phylogeny of Pinellia genus plants. Various omic works revealed and functional identified a series of environmental stress responsive factors and active component biosynthesis-related genes. Our review summarizes the recent progress in active and toxic ingredient evaluation, pharmacological effects, detoxification strategies, and functional gene identification and accelerates efficient utilization of this traditional herb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes derived from tumor cells contain various molecular components, such as proteins, RNA, DNA, lipids, and carbohydrates. These components play a crucial role in all stages of tumorigenesis and development. Moreover, they reflect the physiological and pathological status of parental tumor cells. Recently, tumor-derived exosomes have become popular biomarkers for non-invasive liquid biopsy and the diagnosis of numerous cancers. The interdisciplinary significance of exosomes research has also attracted growing enthusiasm. However, the intrinsic nature of tumor-derived exosomes requires advanced methods to detect and evaluate the complex biofluid. This review analyzes the relationship between exosomes and tumors. It also summarizes the exosomal biological origin, composition, and application of molecular markers in clinical cancer diagnosis. Remarkably, this paper constitutes a comprehensive summary of the innovative research on numerous detection strategies for tumor-derived exosomes with the intent of providing a theoretical basis and reference for early diagnosis and clinical treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) and preterm birth according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal age. We did a cohort, hospital-based study in Quzhou, South China, from 1 Jan 2018 to 30 June 2019. We selected 4274 singleton live births in our analysis, 315 (7.4%) of which were preterm births. In the overall population, excess GWG was significantly associated with a decreased risk of preterm birth compared with adequate GWG (adjusted OR 0.81 [95% CI 0.72–0.91]), and the risk varied by increasing maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI. Interestingly, underweight women who older than 35 years with excess GWG had significantly increased odds of preterm birth compared with adequate GWG in underweight women aged 20–29 years (2.26 [1.06–4.85]) and normal weight women older than 35 years (2.23 [1.13–4.39]). Additionally, low GWG was positively and significantly associated with preterm birth overall (1.92 [1.47–2.50]). Among normal weight women category, compared with adequate GWG women aged 20–29 years did, those older than 20 years with low GWG, had significantly higher odds of preterm birth, which increased with maternal age (1.80 [1.16–2.79] in 20–29 years, 2.19 [1.23–3.91] in 30–34 years, 3.30 [1.68–6.46] in ≫ 35 years). In conclusion, maternal GWG was significantly associated with the risk of preterm birth, but the risk varied by pre-pregnancy BMI and maternal age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]