Coupled electrophysiological recording and single cell transcriptome analyses revealed molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal maturation

The mammalian brain is heterogeneous, containing billions of neurons and trillions of synapses forming various neural circuitries, through which sense, movement, thought, and emotion arise. The cellular heterogeneity of the brain has made it difficult to study the molecular logic of neural circuitry wiring, pruning, activation, and plasticity, until recently, transcriptome analyses with single cell resolution makes decoding of gene regulatory networks underlying aforementioned circuitry properties possible. Here we report success in performing both electrophysiological and whole-genome transcriptome analyses on single human neurons in culture. Using Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analyses (WGCNA), we identified gene clusters highly correlated with neuronal maturation judged by electrophysiological characteristics. A tight link between neuronal maturation and genes involved in ubiquitination and mitochondrial function was revealed. Moreover, we identified a list of candidate genes, which could potentially serve as biomarkers for neuronal maturation. Coupled electrophysiological recording and single cell transcriptome analysis will serve as powerful tools in the future to unveil molecular logics for neural circuitry functions.

Related factor analysis in elderly advanced cancer hospice inpatients with gastrointestinal bleeding / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate related factors of gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly advanced cancer hospice inpatients , in order to facilitate better control. Methods A retrospective investigation of the clinical data of the elderly advanced cancer hospice inpatients was done , 85 cases with gastrointestinal bleeding (experimentalgroup) were compared with 294 cases with non-gastrointestinal bleeding cases (control group). Results Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed:HP infection [odds ratios (OR) = 3.241,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.792~5.863], non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR=3.080,95%CI 1.725~5.497), long-term heart and lung disease (OR=2.323,95%CI 1.315~4.105), stress (OR=1.858,95%CI 1.054 ~ 3.274), albumin (OR =0.760,95%CI 0.679~0.851), enteral nutrition (OR=0.499,95%CI 0.679~0.851) on gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly advanced cancer hospice inpatients were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions We should strengthen the surveillance of elderly advanced cancer hospice inpatients with gastrointestinal bleeding , to improve the quality of life,and according to the risk factors,the early diagnosis and treatment must be regarded.

Left lower extremity venous thrombosis after operation of cyst in the jaw: a case report / 华西口腔医学杂志

Deep vein thrombosis is a common complication after orthopedic, gynecological, and obstetric operations. However, instances of this complication after oral and maxillofacial surgeries have been rarely reported. We report a case with odontogenic keratocyst in the jaw that gained left lower extremity venous thrombosis after operation, and discuss the risk factors and prevention of lower extremity venous thrombosis through literature review.

Alteration of RASSF1A gene methylation status in bladder cancer and renal carcinoma / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the methylation status of the promoter of RASSF1A gene in the tissues of bladder cancer and renal carcinoma and its role in tumorigenesis. Methods Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to examine the methylation status of RASSF1A in bladder cancer and renal carcinoma.The specimen included 45 cases of bladder cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues from cystectomy,9 cases of bladder cancer tissues from microresection,3 cases of normal bladder tissues from people without tumor,12 cases of renal carcinoma tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues. Results 30 of 54(55.6%)bladder cancer tissues showed RASSF1A gene aberrant methylation.Of which,26 of 45 ( 57.8 %) bladder cancer tissues from cystectomy showed aberrant methylation,while one of the paired normal tissues showed gene methylation,4 of 9 (44.4%) bladder cancer tissues from microresection showed gene methylation.Eight of 12(66.7%)renal carcinoma tissues showed aberrant methylation,while none of the paired adjacent normal tissues showed gene methylation.None of the three normal bladder tissues showed aberrant methylation.There was no significant correlation between the methylation status and the clinical pathological parameters in bladder cancer tissues from cystectomy,though there was a trend that more frequent methylation was detected in higher stage bladder cancer. Conclusions Hypermethylation of RASSF1A gene in bladder cancer and renal carcinoma suggeste its possible role in the tumorigenesis of both tumors.

Polymorphism of adiponectin gene in pedigree of type 2 diabetes mellitus / 第二军医大学学报

T) of SNP on the APM1 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in 75 pedigrees (337 individuals) of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Genehunt software was used to analyze the transmission-disequilibrium (TDT) and to calculate SNP combining haplotypes. Meanwhile, the physiological and biochemical parameters were also determined in the pedigrees of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: We found no preferential transmission in the tested binding sites or any haplotypes of SNP in the APM1 gene in the filial generation of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In type 2 diabetes mellitus group, GG genotype had higher body mass index (BMI)(P=0.032) and waist circumference (WC)(P=0.030) compared to CC genotype in the patients with SNP-11377 binding site; patients with G allele had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)(P=0.006)and higher levels of fasting plasma insulin (FINS) (P=0.011) as compared to CC genotype. However, FINS levels (P=0.021) in subjects with CC genotype were significantly lower than those with G allele in healthy control group. For patients with SNP+45 binding site, those with GG genotypes had higher BMI (P=0.036) and lower levels of FINS (P=0.014) than those with TT genotypes in both groups. For patients with SNP+276 binding site, those with GG genotypes had higher BMI(P=0.043) than those with T allele in the control group. Conclusion: The SNP of the APM1 gene is not associated with the pedigrees of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but APM1 gene has influence on the function of insulin B cells and the development of obesity.

Promoter hypermethylation and transcription level of BLU in bladder cancer / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the promoter methylation status and the transcription level of BLU in bladder carcinoma and their significance.Methods The methylation status of promoter and the transcription level of BLU were examined by methylation specific PCR(MSP) and RT-PCR in bladder cancer tissues from 54 patients,adjacent normal tissues from 45 cases and normal bladder tissues from 3 noncancerous patients.Results ① 31.5%(17/54) bladder cancer tissues showed BLU hypermethylation;neither the paired adjacent normal tissues nor the three normal bladder tissues showed BLU hypermethylation.② There was no significant correlation between the methylation status and the clinical pathological parameters in bladder cancer.③ The expression of BLU was absent in 42.2%(19/45) of bladder carcinoma from cystectomy.④ Loss of BLU expression was associated with the stage and grade of the tumor(P