Ancestry Inference Using the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep Kit / 法医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of 56 ancestry informative single nucleotide polymorphism （aiSNP） genetic markers in the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep Kit on ancestry inference. Methods A total of 85 samples from five populations including Hebei Han population, Inner Mongolia autonomous region Mongolian population, Tibet autonomous region Tibetan population, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region Uygur population and Nigerian population were collected. The library was constructed with the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep Kit and sequencing was performed based on the MiSeq FGx Forensic Genomics System. Using universal analysis software （UAS） of ForenSeqTM, principal component analysis （PCA）, Structure and likelihood ratio method was used on the genotyping data of 56 aiSNP markers, respectively, and the genetic relationships between populations and inference of the origin of ancestors were analyzed. Results Among the five populations tested, the four ethnic populations in China （Hebei Han population, Inner Mongolia autonomous region Mongolian population, Tibet autonomous region Tibetan population and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region Uygur population） could be significantly distinguished from Nigerian population. Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region Uygur individuals were shown as having mixed origins of ancestors and could be distinguished from the other three Chinese populations. However, the other three populations in China （Hebei Han population, Inner Mongolia autonomous region Mongolian population and Tibet autonomous region Tibetan population） could not be effectively distinguished by the system. Conclusion The 56 aiSNP markers in the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep Kit can make accurate ancestry inference from the intercontinental level, but it is not yet able to distinguish between Chinese subpopulations.

Early neurosurgical intervention of spinal cord contusion: an analysis of 30 cases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The incidence of spinal injury with spinal cord contusion is high in developed countries and is now growing in China. Furthermore, spinal cord injury happens mostly in young people who have a long life expectance. A large number of patients thus are wheelchair bound for the rest of their lives. Therefore, spinal cord injury has aroused great concern worldwide. Despite great efforts, recovery from spinal cord injury remains unsatisfactory. Based on the pathology of spinal cord contusion, an idea of early neurosurgical intervention has been formulated in this study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 patients with "complete" spinal cord injury or classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-A were studied. Orthopedic treatment of the injured vertebra (e), internal fixation of the vertebral column, and bilateral laminectomy for epidural decompression were followed directly by neurosurgical management, including separation of the arachnoid adhesion to restore cerebrospinal fluid flow and debridement of the spinal cord necrotic tissue with concomitant intramedullary decompression. Rehabilitation started 17 days after the operation. The final outcome was evaluated after 3 months of rehabilitation. Pearson chi-square analysis was used for statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients recovered some ability to walk. The least recovered patients were able to walk with a wheeled weight support and help in stabilizing the weight bearing knee joint (12 cases, 40%). Thirteen patients (43%) were able to walk with a pair of crutches, a stick or without any support. The timing of the operation after injury was important. An optimal operation time window was identified at 4 - 14 days after injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early neurosurgical intervention of spinal cord contusion followed by rehabilitation can significantly improve the locomotion of the patients. It is a new idea of a therapeutic approach for spinal cord contusion and has been proven to be very successful.</p>

Effects of vitamin D analogue EB1089 on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic carcinoma cells / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed at investigating the effects of vitamin D analogue EB1089 on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic carcinoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hepatic carcinoma cell strain G(2) (Hep-G(2)) in which prominent vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA could be expressed and the cell strain T (HCC-T) negative in VDR gene expression were incubated in culture media with 100 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L and 1 nmol/L EB1089 for 2 d, 4 d and 6 d, respectively. Survival and proliferation of the cells were detected by blue tetrazolium colorimetric test and plate clone-forming test, the VDR mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and apoptosis of the cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and electron microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EB1089 could inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular cell line Hep-G(2) that expressed prominent vitamin D receptor mRNA, the inhibitory rate is 17.5% approximately 72.1%. On the other hand, EB1089 had no anti-proliferative effect on hepatocellular cell line HCC-T in which the gene expression of vitamin D receptors was negative. The electron microscope results showed that EB1089 could induce apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and the percentages of apoptotic cells measured by flow cytometer was 21.4%. Cell cycle progression was blocked at G(1) phase with EB1089.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EB1089 could inhibit proliferation of human Hep-G(2), probably through VDR, and induce apoptosis of the cells.</p>