Multidimensional conservation analysis decodes the expression of conserved long noncoding RNAs.

Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) experience weaker evolutionary constraints and exhibit lower sequence conservation than coding genes, they can still conserve their features in various aspects. Here, we used multiple approaches to systemically evaluate the conservation between human and mouse lncRNAs from various dimensions including sequences, promoter, global synteny, and local synteny, which led to the identification of 1,731 conserved lncRNAs with 427 high-confidence ones meeting multiple criteria. Conserved lncRNAs, compared with non-conserved ones, generally have longer gene bodies, more exons and transcripts, stronger connections with human diseases, and are more abundant and widespread across different tissues. Transcription factor (TF) profile analysis revealed a significant enrichment of TF types and numbers in the promoters of conserved lncRNAs. We further identified a set of TFs that preferentially bind to conserved lncRNAs and exert stronger regulation on conserved than non-conserved lncRNAs. Our study has reconciled some discrepant interpretations of lncRNA conservation and revealed a new set of transcriptional factors ruling the expression of conserved lncRNAs.

Broadband tunable single-longitudinal-mode erbium-doped fiber ring laser based on a microfiber knot resonator.

We propose and demonstrate a broadband tunable single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) erbium-doped fiber laser based on a microfiber knot resonator (MKR). The MKR is made from a double-ended fiber taper and employed for SLM filtering based on the Vernier effect. An unpumped erbium-doped fiber is used in the fiber laser cavity to suppress mode-hopping for a stabilized SLM laser operation. When combined with an optical fiber filter, widely tunable SLM laser generation is achieved. The proposed SLM laser can be tuned from 1545 to 1565 nm with a high side-mode suppression ratio of about 55 dB and a high stability.

[Electroacupuncture of Hegu(LI 4) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) Assists Medicinal Abortion].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) therapy in promoting medicinal abortion. METHODS: Sixty participants with early pregnancy were randomly divided into medication (control) and EA+ medication groups (n=30 in each). Participants in the control group were treated by regular medication (mifepristone and misoprostol tablets), and those of the EA group were treated by EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz, a tolerable strength) of bilateral Hegu(LI 4) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) for 25 min, and also by the same medication method mentioned in the control group. Participants of both groups were admitted to the hospital for observation on the 3rd day after taking medication. The abdominal pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the foetal sac discharge duration and the complete abortion rate were recorded. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS scores of both groups were significantly reduced in comparison with their own pre-treatment in each group (P<0.01), and the VAS score of the EA+ medication group was significantly lower than that of the medication group (P<0.01). The foetal sac discharge duration was significantly shorter in the EA+ medication group than in the medication group (P<0.01). The abortion rates showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of Hegu(LI 4) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) has a positive effect in assisting medicinal abortion in reducing abdominal pain and shortening foetal sac discharge duration.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of active epilepsy in southern Han Chinese.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of active epilepsy in southern Han Chinese. METHOD: A door-to-door survey about epilepsy was conducted in communities identified by random cluster sampling among 20 villages and 3 communities of Yueyang city. A questionnaire for epilepsy based on the World Health Organization screening questionnaire was used. A final diagnosis of epilepsy was made by neurology specialists with the support of head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and electroencephalography (EEG) if available. The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment gap were analyzed in patients with active epilepsy within the past year and the past 5 years. RESULTS: Active epilepsy was identified in 91 patients within the past year and 117 patients within the past 5 years. The one-year prevalence was 2.8‰, and the five-year prevalence was 3.7‰. The prevalence for epilepsy active within the last year and the last five years was significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas (P<0.05). Secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (53.8%) were the most common seizure type in patients whose epilepsy had been active in the last year. 34.1% of patients were diagnosed with structural or metabolic epilepsy. The most common cause for epilepsy was cerebrovascular disease (32.3%), followed by traumatic brain injury (29.0%). The treatment gap was 93.4%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of epilepsy active within the last one and five years was higher in rural areas than in urban areas of Yueyang city. A large treatment gap exists in this area and a rational intervention strategy is needed.

Investigation of prevalence, clinical characteristics and management of epilepsy in Yueyang city of China by a door-to-door survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence rate, types and causes of epilepsy, and information on treatment gap of epilepsy in Yueyang city, and to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment status of these patients. METHODS: A door-to-door epidemiological survey on epilepsy was conducted by random cluster sampling among the urban and rural populations of Yueyang city, Hunan province, China. The screening questionnaire for epilepsy used in this study was adapted from the WHO and ICBERG standard screening questionnaires. All peoples diagnosed with epilepsy or suspected to be epileptic during screening were rechecked by neurologists. Clinical and treatment data were collected from patients with definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 32059 peoples were screened. 143 peoples were diagnosed with epilepsy. Lifetime prevalence rate was 4.5‰ and 1-year active prevalence rate was 2.8‰. Prevalence rates were higher in male and rural areas. Secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure prevailed over other seizure types in frequency. 93.4% of the patients with active epilepsy had treatment gaps without receiving standard and regular antiepileptic drugs before the survey. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of epilepsy in Yueyang is lower than in other areas of China and Asia. The large amount of patients with treatment gaps indicates an urgent need for a rational intervention strategy.