The rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technologies has generated massive valuable brain transcriptome atlases, providing great opportunities for systematically investigating gene expression characteristics across various brain regions throughout a series of developmental stages. Recent studies have revealed that the transcriptional architecture is the key to interpreting the molecular mechanisms of brain complexity. However, our knowledge of brain transcriptional characteristics remains very limited. With the immense efforts to generate high-quality brain transcriptome atlases, new computational approaches to analyze these highdimensional multivariate data are greatly needed. In this review, we summarize some public resources for brain transcriptome atlases and discuss the general computational pipelines that are commonly used in this field, which would aid in making new discoveries in brain development and disorders.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment response and prognosis in children with Takayasu′s arteritis(TA) in order to improve the understanding of TA.Methods A retrospective study of 10 children with TA was performed.All of them were admitted and diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from Jan.1998 to Oct.2008.The clinical features,laboratory tests,imaging modalities,treatment response and prognosis were all collected and evaluated.Results There were 3 boys and 7 girls in the 10 patients with TA,and the ratio of male to female was 12.3.The onset was from 4 months to 9 years old,with average age at 5.5 years old.The average duration of diagnosis was 7.6 months.The incidences of hypertension,vascular bruits,albuminuria,convulsion were present in 100%,100%,70% and 40%,respectively.The clinical types included typeⅡ(60%),type Ⅲ(10%) and type Ⅳ(30%).The acute phase inflammatory indices of activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP) and white blood cell(WBC) were not evidently increased.Tuberculosis infection was found in 6 out of 10 patients and anti-tuberculosis treatment was performed.Six patients were treated with steroids and 3 cases of them were also given immunosuppressives cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.Three of the 10 patients received anti-hypertensive and vasodilator.Two patients received percutaneous translurminal angioplasty and 1 patient received nephrectomy.One patient died of renal failure,heart failure and shock.Conclusions The patients with TA had high prevalence of tuberculosis infection,diagnosis as often late because of lack of specific clinical features at the acute inflammatory period.When organic ischaemia occurred,treatment response was usually unsatisfactory.Patients with multi-systemic and multi-viscera lesions should have comprehensive examination,especially for those with hypertension,pulseless and vascular bruits,in order to rule out TA.Early ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonnance image methods are valued in eariler diagnosis and they are the key factors to improve prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on skeletal fluorosis pain, joint motor dysfunction and urine fluoride excretion in the treatment with fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3.

METHODSThe randomized controlled trial was adopted. Ninety-five patients were randomized into a fire needle group (31 cases), an electroacupuncture group (33 cases) and a calcium carbonate D3 group (31 cases). In the fire needle group and the electroacupuncture group, Ashi points, Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10) points were selected and stimulated with fire needle and electroacupuncture separately, three times a week. In the calcium carbonate D3 group, calcium carbonate D3 tablets was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months in the electroacupuncture group and calcium carbonate D3 group and 1 month in the fire needle group. VAS score, the range of motion (ROM) and urine fluoride value were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS value and ROM were improved significantly in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05), the difference was not significant in comparison of the three groups (all P > 0.05). After treatment, the urine fluoride value was increased significantly in the fire needle group [(7.89 +/- 3.61) mg/L vs (9.81 +/- 4.17) mg/L, P < 0.01] and was increased in the electroacupuncture group [(7.53 +/- 3.46) mg/L vs (8.97 +/- 4.21) mg/L, P < 0.05]. The difference was not significant in comparison before and after treatment in the calcium carbonate D3 group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3 all have the clinical value in the prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis and the difference in the therapeutic effect has not been discovered among them yet at present. But it has been found that the fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture display the active significance in the promotion of urine fluoride excretion.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Diseases ; drug therapy ; therapy ; urine ; Calcium Carbonate ; administration & dosage ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; Female ; Fluorides ; urine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the local infiltration length of spinal bone giant cell tumor and chordoma in various para-tumorous tissues.

METHODSSurgical specimens from 7 patients with bone giant cell tumor and 10 patients with chordoma were divided into 6 groups: cortical bone group (CBG, para-tumorous tissue is bone cortex with periosteum), cartilage group (CG, para-tumorous tissues contain intervertebral disc, cartilage endplate and facet joint cartilage), trabecular bone group (TBG), paraspinal muscle tissue group (MTG), adipose tissue group (ATG) and scar tissue group (STG). Macroscopically margin (MSM) in the fresh specimens, histological margin (HLM) in the H&E sections and molecular margin (MCM) in the immunohistochemical staining sections were measured respectively. Three types of the margins of each group and MSM-HLMs, and MSM-MCMs among all groups were compared.

RESULTSAnalysis of Variance comparing MSM, HLM and MCM within each group showed that there were significant differences in all groups (P < 0.05) except for CBG and CG. MSMs were significantly longer than HLMs and MCMs in TBG and MTG (P < 0.05), and MSMs were significantly longer than MCMs in ATG and STG (P < 0.05). MSM-HLMs and MSM-MCMs of TBG and ATG were significantly larger than those of CG and CBG. MSM-HLMs and MSM-MCMs of MTG and STG were significantly larger than those of CG; in addition, MSM-MCM of STG was significantly larger than CBG's. The maximum of tumor infiltration length in CBG, MTG, ATG and STG were 11.68 mm, 13.08 mm, 8.64 mm and 9.98 mm respectively.

CONCLUSIONSEach vertebra can be seen as a compartment, so total spondylectomy is an optimal procedure when bone giant cell tumor and chordoma localized in the compartment. To achieve a wide resection, a 1.3 cm wide margin in para-tumorous cancellous bone, a 1.5 cm wide margin in para-tumorous muscle and 1.0 cm wide margin in adipose tissues are necessary. First-time resection should be more aggressive and avoid tumor cell contamination. The surgical extent of salvage revision should contain para-tumorous scar tissue with the margin no less than 1.0 cm.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chordoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Spinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Spine ; pathology

BackgroundObstruction of aqueous humor out flow pathway or abnormality of the extracellular matrix( ECM ) of trabecular meshwork cells causes high intraocular pressure. The balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases(TIMPs) is critical for the metabolism of ECM. Interleukin1α(IL-1α) can influence outflow of aqueous humor by regulating MMPs level. Objective This study was to investigate the effect of interleukin-1α on the expression of MMP-2,MMP-3 and TIMP-I in cultured swine trabecular meshwork cells.Methods Swine sclera with trabecular meshwork tissue was isolated from 20 swine eyes and cultured with explant cultured method. Cultured cells were passaged and third generation cells were identified by fibronectin ( FN ) and laminin ( LN ) staining. After 24 hours of serum starvation, trabecular meshwork cells treated with IL-1α at the concentration of 10 mg/L were regarded as the IL group,and serum-free culture medium used to treat trabecular meshwork cells was regarded as the control group. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins in trabecular meshwork cells were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-3 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The examination results were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe third generation of cells were positive for FN and LM. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins(A value) in trabecular meshwork cells were significantly higher in the IL group than the control group(t=-7. 694,t =-5. 199,P＜0. 05) ,but no obvious difference was found in the expression of MMP-2 between the two groups( t=-2. 365, P＞0.05 ). The higher expression levels in MMP-3 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA (A value) in trabecular meshwork cells were seen in comparison with the control group (t =-3. 025,t=-1. 921 ,P＜0. 05). However,similar results were found in the expression of MMP-2 mRNA between the two groups(t =- 1. 173, P＞0.05 ). ConclusionsThe overexpression of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins and their mRNA leads to the imbalance of MMP-3/TIMP-1 and promotes the decomposition of ECM in the trabecular meshwork, and therefore increases aqueous outflow.

Colectomy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo obtain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Chlamydia trachomatis Tarp protein.

METHODSChlamydia trachomatis serovar D recombinant Tarp fusion protein was cloned and expressed. Balb/c mice were immunized with recombinant Tarp fusion protein, and the spleen cells of the immunized mice were fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells. The hybridoma cell lines secreting mAbs against Tarp protein were screened by an indirect immunofluorescence assay and subcloned by limiting dilution culture. The specificities of these mAbs to Tarp were determined by ELISA, and their isotype and chlamydial species specificity identified by an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSRecombinant GST-Tarp fusion protein with a relative molecular mass of about 136 000 was successfully cloned and expressed. Seven hybridoma cell lines stably secreting specific mAbs against Tarp protein were obtained. All the 7 mAbs reacted strongly with Tarp protein but not with other chlamydial proteins. Two mAbs were identified to belong to IgG2a isotype and the other 5 to IgG1 isotype. All the 7 mAbs reacted strongly with chlamydia serovar A, D, and L2, but not with MoPn, 6BC, or AR39.

CONCLUSIONThe highly specific mAbs against Tarp protein have been obtained to facilitate further study of the structure and function of Chlamydia Tarp protein.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Antibody Specificity ; Bacterial Proteins ; immunology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; immunology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nuclear Proteins ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antigenicity of recombinant Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) OmcBc protein and search for the new target for early diagnosis of Chlamydia infection and Chlamydia vaccine development.

METHODSThe C fragment of OmcB encoding the amino acids from T270 to T553 was amplified from Chlamydia serovar D genomic DNA. The pGEX-6p-Ct OmcBc expression plasmid was constructed and transformed into E.coli XL-1blue. The expression of recombinant Ct OmcBc protein was induced by IPTG. Serum samples were collected from 120 patients with urogenital Chlamydia infection. The antiserum samples were collected from 7 New Zealand white rabbits and 5 Balb/C mice immunized subcutaneously and intraperitoneally with Ct serovar D inactivated EB, respectively, and from 9 Balb/C mice intranasally infected with Ct serovar D live EB. The anti-Chlamydia specific antibody were titrated by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The reactivity of the recombinant OmcBc protein with all the above antisera was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe pGEX-6p-Ct OmcBc expression plasmid was successfully constructed. DNA sequencing showed that the inserted OmcBc was about 852 bp, encoding a protein with 284 amino acids. The expression of the recombinant GST-OmcBc was induced by IPTG, producing a fusion protein with a molecular weight of about 57 kD. The titer of the specific antibodies to Chlamydia in all the antisera was high. ELISA results showed strong reactivities of the recombinant GST-OmcBc fusion protein with all the above antisera.

CONCLUSIONSOmcBc protein is an immunodominant protein of Chlamydia. The recombinant GST-OmcBc with strong antigenicity may provide a basis for further study of early diagnosis of chlamydia infection and development of Chlamydia vaccine.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; metabolism ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of immune-enhanced enteral nutrition (IEN) together with recombined human growth hormone (rhGH) on patients after total gastrectomy.

METHODSForty-eight patients after total gastrectomy were randomly divided into EN group (n=16), IEN group (n=16) and IEN+ rhGH(n=16) group. Nitrogen balance, nutritional status, immune function and lassitude degree were compared among 3 groups.

RESULTSIEN+rhGH group had better efficacy as compared to EN and IEN group in improving postoperative nutritional status, immune function, nitrogen balance and lassitude degree, and recovered to normal level after 7 days. All the indexes of IEN+rhGH group except CD8 were improved significantly on the 10th day after operation as compared to those of EN group[total protein(66.8 +/- 2.0)g/L vs (65.8 +/- 0.9)g/L, CD3(66.1 +/- 6.3)% vs (60.5 +/- 5.6)%, Christensen score (4.6 +/- 0.9) vs (6.3 +/- 0.9), all P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONEarly application of IEN combined with rhGH plays an effective role in improving protein metabolism and immune function for patients after total gastrectomy in short period.

Aged ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Human Growth Hormone ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ziprasidone tablets in Chinese healthy volunteers.

METHODSA randomized crossover study was performed in 20 healthy volunteers, who received a single oral dose (40 mg) of the test or reference preparation of ziprasidone. Blood samples were collected from the subjects at different time points following the drug administration, and the plasma concentration of ziprasidone was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by DAS software and the relative bioavailability was calculated according to the formula F=AUC(t)/AUC(r)x100%.

RESULTSFor the test and reference preparation, the pharmacokinetics parameter C(max) was 170.7-/+71.3 and 174.4-/+81.6 ng/ml, t(max) 3.73-/+1.87 and 3.69-/+1.84 h, t((1/2)) 5.57-/+1.62 and 5.61-/+1.73 h, AUC(0-t) 1273-/+252.3 and 1296-/+266.9 ng.h.ml(-1), and AUC(0-infinity)1396-/+276.9 and 1407-/+281.5 ng.h.ml(-1), respectively, with the relative bioavailability of (98.3-/+12.6)%. No significant differences were found in the main parameters of the test and reference preparations as analyzed by ANOVA and two- and one-side t-test.

CONCLUSIONThe test and reference preparation of ziprasidone are bioequivalent.

Administration, Oral ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Availability ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Health ; Humans ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Tablets ; Therapeutic Equivalency ; Thiazoles ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Time Factors ; Young Adult