Practical and statistical challenges in driving research

Driving is an integral aspect of many modern societies, and motor vehicle safety is an important public health issue. With advances in sensor technology, more and more driving data are being collected by researchers, insurers, and automobile companies, which has increased the need and opportunities for statisticians to be involved in driving research. This report discusses several practical and statistical challenges in driver-level studies, including the process of defining meaningful driving metrics, issues related to “Big Data” aspects of driving research, and the principle of reproducible research.     

Using advocacy to increase investment in enteric vaccine development

Catalyzing and sustaining momentum for long-term research investments can be a challenge, especially for enteric pathogens like ETEC and Shigella that are most threatening to the health of children in low-resource areas, and whose vaccines would not be for global use. The 2018 Vaccines Against Shigella and ETEC (VASE) Conference included a workshop focused on building the capacity of scientists to communicate about their own research and advocate for additional attention and funding for enteric disease and vaccines research. Workshop presenters shared best practices and examples of advocacy, communications, and messaging tactics that have been used successfully during early stages of vaccine development research for other pathogens. The presentations were followed by an interactive, hands-on training for real-life communication opportunities for scientists that could result in increased research funding, including developing resonant messaging for relevant audiences and practicing interviews.     

中药黄芪对骨代谢的影响及相关基础研究进展

黄芪(Astragali Radix)为豆科黄芪属植物蒙古黄芪或膜荚黄芪的干燥根。始载于东汉末年的《神农本草经》,具有2000多年的药用史,在《本草纲目》中被列为上品,认为黄芪具有补气升阳、利水消肿、固表止汗、托疮生肌等功效。黄芪化学成分包括:葡聚糖、杂多糖等多糖成分;黄芪苷I、II、III和大豆皂苷等多种皂苷;天冬氨酸、丝氨酸等多种氨基酸;多种微量元素及叶酸、亚油酸、甾醇类等。目前对黄芪的化学成分研究多集中在黄芪多糖、黄芪皂苷或其有效单体成分。现代药理学研究表明,黄芪具抗肿瘤、免疫调节、心血管保护、保肝、改善神经系统功能、抗骨质疏松等生物活性,其中,黄芪对骨细胞代谢具有一定的调节作用。通过对近年来黄芪对骨代谢的影响及相关基础研究的文献汇总,发现黄芪甲苷等黄芪提取物及黄芪制剂大多通过对成骨细胞的促进及破骨细胞的抑制进行骨代谢的调节,亦有通过促进类骨素的分泌、激素水平的调节进行调控,本文综述了黄芪甲苷等黄芪提取物及黄芪制剂对骨代谢的基础、动物模型及临床3个方面近十年的研究内容进行综述,为研究中药黄芪对骨细胞代谢影响提供些许帮助并为防治骨质疏松症提供思路与参考。