Diverse Convergent Evidence in the Genetic Analysis of Complex Disease: Coordinating Omic, Informatic, and Experimental Evidence to Better Identify and Validate Risk Factors

In omic research, such as genome wide association studies, researchers seek to repeat their results in other datasets to reduce false positive findings and thus provide evidence for the existence of true associations. Unfortunately this standard validation approach cannot completely eliminate false positive conclusions, and it can also mask many true associations that might otherwise advance our understanding of pathology. These issues beg the question: How can we increase the amount of knowledge gained from high throughput genetic data? To address this challenge, we present an approach that complements standard statistical validation methods by drawing attention to both potential false negative and false positive conclusions, as well as providing broad information for directing future research. The Diverse Convergent Evidence approach (DiCE) we propose integrates information from multiple sources (omics, informatics, and laboratory experiments) to estimate the strength of the available corroborating evidence supporting a given association. This process is designed to yield an evidence metric that has utility when etiologic heterogeneity, variable risk factor frequencies, and a variety of observational data imperfections might lead to false conclusions. We provide proof of principle examples in which DiCE identified strong evidence for associations that have established biological importance, when standard validation methods alone did not provide support. If used as an adjunct to standard validation methods this approach can leverage multiple distinct data types to improve genetic risk factor discovery/validation, promote effective science communication, and guide future research directions

Causative agent distribution and antibiotic therapy assessment among adult patients with community acquired pneumonia in Chinese urban population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of predominant microbial patterns in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) constitutes the basis for initial decisions about empirical antimicrobial treatment, so a prospective study was performed during 2003–2004 among CAP of adult Chinese urban populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualified patients were enrolled and screened for bacterial, atypical, and viral pathogens by sputum and/or blood culturing, and by antibody seroconversion test. Antibiotic treatment and patient outcome were also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Non-viral pathogens were found in 324/610 (53.1%) patients among whom <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent (126/610, 20.7%). Atypical pathogens were identified in 62/195 (31.8%) patients carrying bacterial pathogens. Respiratory viruses were identified in 35 (19%) of 184 randomly selected patients with adenovirus being the most common (16/184, 8.7%). The nonsusceptibility of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>to penicillin and azithromycin was 22.2% (Resistance (R): 3.2%, Intermediate (I): 19.0%) and 79.4% (R: 79.4%, I: 0%), respectively. Of patients (312) from whom causative pathogens were identified and antibiotic treatments were recorded, clinical cure rate with β-lactam antibiotics alone and with combination of a β-lactam plus a macrolide or with fluoroquinolones was 63.7% (79/124) and 67%(126/188), respectively. For patients having mixed <it>M. pneumoniae </it>and/or <it>C. pneumoniae </it>infections, a better cure rate was observed with regimens that are active against atypical pathogens (e.g. a β-lactam plus a macrolide, or a fluoroquinolone) than with β-lactam alone (75.8% vs. 42.9%, <it>p </it>= 0.045).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Chinese adult CAP patients, <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent with mixed infections containing atypical pathogens being frequently observed. With <it>S. pneumoniae</it>, the prevalence of macrolide resistance was high and penicillin resistance low compared with data reported in other regions.</p

China's Street Vendor Economy: Can this Informal Economy solve the Employment Crisis in China?

1-21CSU Case Studies (Case Study Unit

Impacts of the Euro sovereign debt crisis on global trade and economic growth: A General Equilibrium Analysis based on GTAP model

Euro sovereign debt crisis will influence international trade and global economy through affecting factors supply, consumer and investment demand, and production efficiency in the PIIGS region. This paper aims to examine the impacts of Euro sovereign debt crisis on global import, export and global economic growth through trade channels by using the methods of general equilibrium analysis and scenario simulation based on GTAP model. As Euro sovereign debt crisis still continue, this research is carried out by two steps to examine its impacts on global economy: 1) the impacts of Euro sovereign debt crisis on global economy up to now (until the end of 2012); 2) the impacts of different trends of Euro sovereign debt crisis on global economy in future (2012-2015). The simulation results show that global economic growth has suffered a serious damage from 2010 to 2012. Affected by Euro sovereign debt crisis, the average annual growth rate of the global economy has reduced by 0.65% and global unemployment rate has risen by 1.81%. Global trade was in depression and the average annual trade growth was reduced by 1.14%. The import and export trade of the United States and China suffered more serious affected by the crisis. Due to the impact of the European sovereign debt crisis, the average annual growth of China's economy decreased 0.37 percentage points, which is more serious than the United States and other BRIC countries. The exports of raw materials processing and machinery and electronics manufacturing industries of China were affected more serious. The impacts of the European sovereign debt crisis on global economic growth will continue in the next few years (2012-2015). The gap of the prospects for global economic growth between in pessimistic and optimistic scenarios is larger, and boosting the global economy still needs stronger economic stimulus policies to carry out. Trade diversion is hard to offset the impacts of the shrinking market of EU, and the European sovereign debt crisis will continue to affect global trade. The external demand environment of Chinese economy will continue in depression, and the decline of investment and consumption of other countries caused by the European sovereign debt crisis on will further led to reduce their imports from China, which requires the concern and vigilance of the Chinese government

Assessment of Long-Term Badminton Experience on Foot Posture Index and Plantar Pressure Distribution

This study was aimed to analyze the foot posture index and plantar pressure characteristics of fifteen badminton players and fifteen controls. The hypothesis was that people with the habit of playing badminton would be significantly different with nonplaying people in foot posture index, 3D foot surface data, and plantar pressure distribution. Nine regions of plantar pressure were measured by using the EMED force platform, and badminton players showed significantly higher peak pressure in the hallux (p=0.003), medial heel (p=0.016), and lateral heel (p=0.021) and force-time integral in the hallux (p=0.002), medial heel (p=0.026), and lateral heel (p=0.015). There is no asymmetrical plantar pressure distribution between the left foot and the right foot of players. The mean foot posture index values of male and female badminton players are 5.2 ± 1.95 and 5.7 ± 1.15, respectively, and comparatively, those values of male and female controls are 1.5 ± 1.73 and 1.7 ± 4.16, respectively. This study shows that significant differences in morphology between people with the habit of playing badminton and people without that habit could be taken as a factor for a future study in locomotion biomechanics characteristics and foot shape of badminton players and in a footwear design in order to reduce injury risks

Study on Improving the Air Quality with Emission Enhanced Control Measures in Beijing during a National Parade Event

Research on the enhanced control and emission-reduction measures to improve air quality during major events could provide data theory and scientific support for air-quality improvement during non-activities. Based on the air-quality data published by the China Environmental Monitoring Station and the meteorological elements and weather conditions released by the China Meteorological Administration, this paper explored the characteristics of air-quality evolution in Beijing from 5 August to 18 September 2015 and the weather situation during the Military Parade. The results showed that: (1) Emission-reduction measures implemented for air quality by Beijing and its surrounding area were induced, and we explored the contribution of these measures to pollutants or AQI in the locality. (2) During the 2015 Military Parade, Beijing was in the front or lower part of the high-pressure system. Due to the strong effect of North or Northeast winds, the weather situation was conducive to the diffusion of pollutants. When before or after the implementation, once the atmospheric diffusion was poor, the pollutants would accumulate gradually. Thus, it can be seen that the weather situation had a great impact on air quality. (3) During the implementation, PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and other pollutants decreased significantly, of which the concentration of PM10 decreased the most, from 109 &mu;g&middot;m&minus;3 down to 34 &mu;g&middot;m&minus;3, and the concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 72.73%. According to the changes between before and during the implementation or during and after the implementation, the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 increased when the implementation of the emission-reduction measures had been finished, indicating that the enhanced control measures made a great contribution to the emission reduction in particles. (4) In addition, the annual average of AQI in the three years is 87.49, and the average value of a normal year was the average value of 2013 and 2014. The average value of the normal year during the military parade is 64.63, which was 70.40% lower than the average value of AQI during the military parade. The goal of reaching the secondary standard of GB-3095-2012 was achieved, and there was still a long way to go from the primary standard. In a few words, in order to achieve the goal of better air quality throughout the year, all parties still needed to coordinate control and make joint efforts

Study on Improving the Air Quality with Emission Enhanced Control Measures in Beijing during a National Parade Event

Research on the enhanced control and emission-reduction measures to improve air quality during major events could provide data theory and scientific support for air-quality improvement during non-activities. Based on the air-quality data published by the China Environmental Monitoring Station and the meteorological elements and weather conditions released by the China Meteorological Administration, this paper explored the characteristics of air-quality evolution in Beijing from 5 August to 18 September 2015 and the weather situation during the Military Parade. The results showed that: (1) Emission-reduction measures implemented for air quality by Beijing and its surrounding area were induced, and we explored the contribution of these measures to pollutants or AQI in the locality. (2) During the 2015 Military Parade, Beijing was in the front or lower part of the high-pressure system. Due to the strong effect of North or Northeast winds, the weather situation was conducive to the diffusion of pollutants. When before or after the implementation, once the atmospheric diffusion was poor, the pollutants would accumulate gradually. Thus, it can be seen that the weather situation had a great impact on air quality. (3) During the implementation, PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and other pollutants decreased significantly, of which the concentration of PM10 decreased the most, from 109 μg·m−3 down to 34 μg·m−3, and the concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 72.73%. According to the changes between before and during the implementation or during and after the implementation, the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 increased when the implementation of the emission-reduction measures had been finished, indicating that the enhanced control measures made a great contribution to the emission reduction in particles. (4) In addition, the annual average of AQI in the three years is 87.49, and the average value of a normal year was the average value of 2013 and 2014. The average value of the normal year during the military parade is 64.63, which was 70.40% lower than the average value of AQI during the military parade. The goal of reaching the secondary standard of GB-3095-2012 was achieved, and there was still a long way to go from the primary standard. In a few words, in order to achieve the goal of better air quality throughout the year, all parties still needed to coordinate control and make joint efforts