The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the water fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (Pteridaceae).

This work determined and analyzed the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ceratopteris thalictroides (Linnaeus) Brongniart 1822 (Pteridaceae). The results indicate that the total chloroplast genome size of C. thalictroides is 149,399 bp in length, and the genome contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,580 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 21,241 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 22,289 bp. The GC content of C. thalictroides is 36.7%. The genome encodes a total of 131 unique genes, including 82 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis results strongly suggest that C. thalictroides is closely related to C. cornuta.

Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii (Pteridaceae), two new diploid species from China, based on morphological, cytological, and molecular data.

Understanding how natural hybridization and polyploidizations originate in plants requires identifying potential diploid ancestors. However, cryptic plant species are widespread, particularly in Ceratopteris (Pteridaceae). Identifying Ceratopteris cryptic species with different polyploidy levels is a challenge because Ceratopteris spp. exhibit high degrees of phenotypic plasticity. Here, two new cryptic species of Ceratopteris, Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that each of the new species form a well-supported clade. C. chunii and C. chingii are similar to Ceratopteris gaudichaudii var. vulgaris and C. pteridoides, respectively, but distinct from their relatives in the stipe, basal pinna of the sterile leaf or subelliptic shape of the fertile leaf, as well as the spore surface. In addition, chromosome studies indicate that C. chunii and C. chingii are both diploid. These findings will help us further understand the origin of Ceratopteris polyploids in Asia.

[Clinical analysis of 15 pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex complicated by cardiac rhabdomyomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated cardiac rhabdomyomas (CRM). METHODS: The clinical data of 15 children with TSC complicated by CRM were collected. The clinical features of the patients were analyzed, and TSC gene mutations were detected. RESULTS: Eleven cases (73%) developed multiple CRM. The majority of the tumors were located in the left and right ventricles. Most tumors presented as a round-like hyperechogenic mass with a clear margin on echocardiography. Arrhythmias occurred in 3 patients and 2 patients experienced heart failure. Gene mutation tests were performed in 2 patients, and pathogenic mutations were detected in both patients, which were TSC1 mutation and TSC2 mutation, respectively. Three patients were followed up for 6 to 38 months, and their CRM shrank or regressed spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: TSC-associated CRM is generally multiple. Heart failure and arrhythmias may occur in some patients. Echocardiography is important for diagnosis of CRM. TSC-associated CRM has an inclination to spontaneous regression. TSC can be diagnosed at a molecular genetic level by TSC gene mutation detection.

Treatment of intracranial hydatid cysts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Echinococcosis is still endemic in many countries, including China, where it is especially prevalent in the northwest. The aim of this study was to enrich the international literature about the treatment of intracranial hydatid cysts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, radiological manifestations, and surgical outcome of 97 patients with intracranial hydatid cysts, who received surgical treatment at the Neurosurgical Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 1985 to 2010 and followed up the patient via sending a questionnaire or telephone contact. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Karnofsky Performance Scale Index.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Headache and vomiting were the most common initial symptoms in our patients. Neurological deficits caused by the mass effect of the cysts were seen in 82 cases. On the X-ray, significant bone erosion was seen in only two cases with epidural hydatid cysts. Round-shaped and thin-walled homogeneous low-density cystic lesions without surrounding edema and enhancement were the main findings on computerized tomography (CT) in 95 patients with intraparenchymal hydatid cysts, while two cases with epidural hydatid cysts presented as a heterodensity lesions. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hydatid cyst presented as a round-shaped low signal lesion in T1-weighted images and high signal lesion in T2-weighted images, without enhancement after contrast media injection, while the two cases with epidural cysts presented as mixed signal masses. Surgical removal of cyst was performed in all cases. Total removal was achieved in 93 cases without rupturing the cyst wall. Only two cysts ruptured during the dissection, resulting in two surgery-related mortalities. There was no other additional neurological deficit caused directly by surgery. In 97.2% of the patients, the Karnofsky Performance Scale score was 80 to 90 at the last follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intracranial hydatid cyst is still a main cause of increased intracranial pressure among the patients in endemic areas for echinococcosis. CT and MRI are the best diagnostic methods and surgery is the treatment of choice for intracranial hydatid cysts.</p>