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Abstract The yield and quality of the medicinal plant Achyranthes bidentata can be increased when it is replanted into a field cultivated previously with the same crop, however, fundamental aspects of its biology (so-called “replanting benefit”) still remain to be elucidated. miRNAs are sRNA molecules involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plant biological processes. Here, 267 conserved and 36 novel miRNAs were identified in A. bidentata roots. We compared the miRNA content of the roots (R1) from first-year planting with that of the roots (R2) of second-year replanting, and screened 21 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs. Based on in silico functional analysis, integrated miRNA-mRNA datasets allowed the identification of 10 miRNA-target family modules, which might participate in the benefit. The expression profiles of the miRNA-target modules were potentially correlated with the presence of the replanting benefit. The indication was that the miRNA-responsive continuous monoculture could reprogram miRNA-mRNA expression patterns, which possibly promote the root growth and development, enhance its transport activity and strengthen its tolerance to various stresses, thereby improving A. bidentata productivity as observed in the replanting benefit. Our study provides basic data for further research on the molecular mechanisms of the benefit in A. bidentata.

Byline: Hai-Long. Li, Raynald. Liu, Xiang-Li. Cui, Song. Lin Sir, Shunt infection is the most common complication associated with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Current standard managements for shunt infections include shunt [...]

A letter to then editor is presented regarding two men with shunt infection and was managed by retention of the primary shunt system, intravenous antibiotics administration, and placement of new extraventricular drainage (EVD).

Objective: To analyze the features of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH 1) mutation in 165 oligodendroglial tumors., Methods: IDH1 was detected in a series of 165 oligodendroglial paraffin specimens from 2009 to 2011. And their features were analyzed., Results: Mutant IDH1 was detected in 111 (67.3%) tumors including 109 (98.2%) CGT→CAT mutations, 1 (0.9%) CGT→AGT mutation and 1 (0.9%) CGT→TGT mutation. The frequencies of IDH mutation in AO, O and OA were 13/15, 83.3% and 72.9% respectively. They were significantly higher than that in AOA (27.0%, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The different frequencies of IDH1 mutation in different subsets of oligodendroglial tumors may imply varied tumorigenic pathways between subsets.

Objective: To investigate the frequencies of combining loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 1p/19q in gliomas of different pathologies and analyze the clinical factors correlated with combining LOH by logistic regression., Methods: Tumor samples from 127 glioma patients were collected. The status of 1p and 19q was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in gliomas of different pathologies were analyzed., Results: The frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in astrocytic, oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were 19.30%, 50.00% and 80.77% respectively. The frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were higher than those in astrocytic tumors (P < 0.01) and the frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in oligodendroglial tumors was higher than those in oligoastrocytic tumors (P < 0.05). The frequencies of 1p/19q LOH in astrocytic, oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were 12.28%, 11.36 and 0 respectively. There was no significant correlation between combining 1p/19q LOH and age, gender and grade by logistic regression., Conclusion: In gliomas, combining 1p/19q LOH is proved to be the most common pattern of chromosome deletion involving 1p or 19q. It is significantly correlated with oligodendroglial component. Combining 1p/19q LOH may be valuable in the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic prediction for glioma with oligodendroglial component.

Aim: To study the effects of N-[4-[[1-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]carbonyl]phenyl]methanesulfonamide dihydrochloride dihydrate (E-4031), a specific Ik blocker, on Ca2+ transient and cell contraction of normal and hypertrophied rat ventricular myocytes., Methods: Electrically triggered Ca2+ transient and cell shortening were measured simultaneously using the Ion Imaging System with charge coupled digital (CCD) camera., Results: E-4031 (10 micromol/L) increased Ca2+ transient and cell shortening from (210+/-49) and (3.0+/-0.8) micron to (245+/-47) and (3.6+/-1.0) micron, respectively (P<0.05) in normal cardiomyocytes and from (196+/-54) and (3.0+/-1.3) micron to (240+/-49) and (3.6+/-1.3) micron respectively (P<0.05) in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes, while did not change calcium sensitivity in both groups. KB-R7943 completely blocked the activating effects induced by E-4031 in both of normal and hypertrophied cardiomyocytes. Nicardipine did not block the increasing effects of E-4031., Conclusion: E-4031 increased Ca2+ transient and cell contraction via stimulating reverse mode of Na+/Ca2+ exchange while without influencing calcium sensitivity. These effects were more notable in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes than in normal myocytes.