Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children, with ependymoma being the third most common and posing a significant clinical burden. Its mechanism of pathogenesis, reliable prognostic indicators, and effective treatments other than surgical resection have all remained elusive. Until recently, ependymoma research was hindered by the small number of tumors available for study, low resolution of cytogenetic techniques, and lack of cell lines and animal models. Ependymoma heterogeneity, which manifests as variations in tumor location, patient age, histological grade, and clinical behavior, together with the observation of a balanced genomic profile in up to 50% of cases, presents additional challenges in understanding the development and progression of this disease. Despite these difficulties, we have made significant headway in the past decade in identifying the genetic alterations and pathways involved in ependymoma tumorigenesis through collaborative efforts and the application of microarray-based genetic (copy number) and transcriptome profiling platforms. Genetic characterization of ependymoma unraveled distinct mRNA-defined subclasses and led to the identification of radial glial cells as its cell type of origin. This review summarizes our current knowledge in the molecular genetics of ependymoma and proposes future research directions necessary to further advance this field.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Ependymoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Neuroglia ; pathology

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical constituents in the root of Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng. The constituents were isolated by silica gel, lichroprep RP-C₁₈ and pharmadex LH-20 column chromatography and the IR, MS, NMR, 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis were employed for the structural elucidation. Ten compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Dysosma versipellis, their structures were elucidated as dysoverine D (1), dysoverine F (2), dysoverine A (3), podoverine A (4), α-peltatin (5), rutin (6), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol (9) and quercetin (10). Compound 2 is a new compound, and compounds 1 and 3-6 were isolated from this plant fo r the first time.

Objective　To explore the risk factors and causes affecting the operative mortality in esophagectomy patients with esophageal can cer. Methods　1400 cases with a curative esophagectomy for neopl asm of esophagus hospitalized from Mar,1973 to June, 2000 were reviewed. There w ere 31 died within 30 d or during hospitalization after esophagectomy as a group , and 1 369 survival cases, after operation, as another group. Sixteen factors t hat may influence the operational mortality were selected. A multi-variate anal ysis of these individual variables was performed by the computer′s logistic reg ression model. Results　The operative mortality was 2.2%(31/1400 ). The causes of death included respiratory complication 17 cases (including res piratory failure caused by pneumonia or atelectasis), 15 cases, and adult respir atory distress syndrome (ARDS) 2 cases, the mortality was 54.8% in the death gro up), anastomotic leak 11 cases (34.5%), Chylothorax 2 cases (6.5%) and postopera tive digestive tract hemorrhage 1 case (3.2%). The results showed that the major risk factors that affected operative mortality in cases with esophageal cancer were history of long-herm heavy smoking, duration of operation and the year of operational (P<0.05). Conclusion　To minimize operative mort ality of esophagectomy, some means must be noticed, including the reinforcemen t of the perioperative care, the improvement of anastomotic methods and surgical skill, reduing operative time as p ossible, disposing pulmonary complications in time and using respirator if neces sary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Cost of Illness ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Mining ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; Smoking Prevention ; Tin

There is a large gap between the number of membrane protein (MP) sequences and that of their decoded 3D structures, especially high-resolution structures, due to difficulties in crystal preparation of MPs. However, detailed knowledge of the 3D structure is required for the fundamental understanding of the function of an MP and the interactions between the protein and its inhibitors or activators. In this paper, some computational approaches that have been used to predict MP structures are discussed and compared.
Computational Biology ; methods ; Membrane Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Conformation

Dipyridamole,a widely used drug in clinics that inhibits platelet agregation,also shows great potential for anti-vi- ral and anti-tumor effect in recent years. However,with its poor and pH-dependent solubility as well as the narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract,the conventional oral dosage forms have problems of low bioavailability,high inter-subject variability and insufficient drug efficacy. The novel drug delivery systems based on solid dispersion,gastro-floating,microenvironmental pH-modifica- tion,drug-protein complex and nanoparticle technologies are the effective methods to enhance oral drug absorption. In this paper we re- view the recent advances in novel dosage form and preparation technology of dipyridamole,to provide references for development of novel preparation with good safety,therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.

Objective To optimize and assess the formulation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) for artemether(ARM). Methods The optimized formulation of ARM-SMEDDS was screened by solubility, ternary phase diagram and central composite design-response surface methodology, with the particle size, Zeta potential and solubility as parameters. The physicochemical property and dissolution characters of ARM-SMEDDS were also determined. Results The optimized SMEDDS was composed of Cremophor RH40 (39.29%), Transcutol HP (35.71%) and MCT(25%). The average particle size after the emulsification was 24.52 nm, the Zeta potential was-10.10 mV, and the drug loading of self-microemulsifying exceeded 88 mg/g. Conclusion The optimized formulation of ARM-SMEDDS using the star point design-response surface methodology has significantly enhanced the solubility and in vitro dissolution of ARM.

Objective To analyze the genetic diversity of Aconitum brachypodum, an endangered medicinal plants. Methods Three pair primers were used to evaluate the relevant genetic parameters and clustering pattern for four natural populations containing 105 individuals by using POPGENE32, MEGA4, NTSYS and other biometric softwares. Results For A. brachypodum, the Nei’s genetic diversity index (He), Shannon’s information index (I), percentage of polymorphic loci (PPB) were 0.322 9 ± 0.179 8, 0.472 0 ± 0.251 7, and 80.57%, respectively; and the population level were 0.115 4 ± 0.044, 0.168 0 ± 0.065 3, and 12%, respectively. The genetic differentiation index (Gst) was 0.864 2. The clustering results showed that, Luquan and Dongchuan populations are grouped together, Lijiang and Huize populations are clustered together. Conclusion A.brachypodum possesses the relatively high level of genetic diversity at the species level, however, low within populations. This study should provide an initial insights for A.brachypodum germplasm conservation

Belonging to Panax L. species, the roots of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma have been widely used for a long history in China. The species has a variety of chemical constituents, which mainly concludes triterpenes and triterpenoids, essential oil, steroid and steroidal saponins, flavonoids and trace elements. The writer makes a systematic summary about research on the chemical constituents of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma in China and abroad for 30 years, especially on the classification of triterpenes and triterpenoids, and provides the references for further studies.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurring in non-obese subjects (the so-called non-obese NAFLD) is a highly prevalent but neglected liver condition, which is closely associated with metabolic disorders and suboptimal lifestyles. Landmark studies have shown that lifestyle interventions are potentially beneficial in decreasing the risk of developing non-obese NAFLD and in ameliorating NAFLD in non-obese individuals with pre-existing NAFLD. Lifestyle interventions usually refer to changes in eating habits and physical activity, both of which have a powerful effect on non-obese NAFLD and on risk factors for non-obese NAFLD. However, to date, patients and health-care professionals have a poor awareness and understanding of non-obese NAFLD and the beneficial effects of lifestyle interventions in this patient population. The aim of this narrative review is to briefly discuss the evidence for the effects of lifestyle changes and what changes are needed amongst medical personnel and other stakeholders in order to raise awareness of non-obese NAFLD.