The Euscaphis japonica genome and the evolution of malvids.

Malvids is one of the largest clades of rosids, includes 58 families and exhibits remarkable morphological and ecological diversity. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for Euscaphis japonica, an early-diverging species within malvids. Genome-based phylogenetic analysis suggests that the unstable phylogenetic position of E. japonica may result from incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization event during the diversification of the ancestral population of malvids. Euscaphis japonica experienced two polyploidization events: the ancient whole genome triplication event shared with most eudicots (commonly known as the γ event) and a more recent whole genome duplication event, unique to E. japonica. By resequencing 101 samples from 11 populations, we speculate that the temperature has led to the differentiation of the evergreen and deciduous of E. japonica and the completely different population histories of these two groups. In total, 1012 candidate positively selected genes in the evergreen were detected, some of which are involved in flower and fruit development. We found that reddening and dehiscence of the E. japonica pericarp and long fruit-hanging time promoted the reproduction of E. japonica populations, and revealed the expression patterns of genes related to fruit reddening, dehiscence and abscission. The key genes involved in pentacyclic triterpene synthesis in E. japonica were identified, and different expression patterns of these genes may contribute to pentacyclic triterpene diversification. Our work sheds light on the evolution of E. japonica and malvids, particularly on the diversification of E. japonica and the genetic basis for their fruit dehiscence and abscission.

Genetics of Parkinson's disease and related disorders.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex and heterogeneous neurological condition characterised mainly by bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity and postural instability, symptoms that together comprise the parkinsonian syndrome. Non-motor symptoms preceding and following clinical onset are also helpful diagnostic markers revealing a widespread and progressive pathology. Many other neurological conditions also include parkinsonism as primary or secondary symptom, confounding their diagnosis and treatment. Although overall disease course and end-stage pathological examination single out these conditions, the significant overlaps suggest that they are part of a continuous disease spectrum. Recent genetic discoveries support this idea because mutations in a few genes (α-synuclein, LRRK2, tau) can cause partially overlapping pathologies. Additionally, mutations in causative genes and environmental toxins identify protein homeostasis and the mitochondria as key mediators of degeneration of dopaminergic circuits in the basal ganglia. The evolving mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology of PD and related conditions will contribute to the development of targeted and effective symptomatic treatments into disease-modifying therapies that will reduce the burden of these dreadful conditions.

The efficacy of homemade tolcapone in the treatment of patients with Parkinsons disease.

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of homemade tolcapone in treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Eighty patients with PD were subjected to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel-group study. PD patients were randomly divided into the tolcapone treatment group (41 cases) and placebo group (39 cases). Each patient received 1 pill of tolcapone or placebo, 3 times per day for 26 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated using the internationally used unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) scoring system for PD symptoms. After the treatment for 26 weeks, the cognitive function, tremor, muscle stiffness, voluntary movement and autonomic nerve symptoms were compared between the two groups using UPDRS scores. Compared with the placebo group, cognitive function, muscle stiffness and voluntary movement reduction were significantly improved in patients of the tolcapone group (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in UPDRS scores of autonomic nerve symptoms and tremor were found between two groups after treatment (P>0.05). Tolcapone, a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, can improve the motor function of patients with PD, especially exercise and muscle stiffness. Tolcapone can also improve the cognitive function of patients.

Use of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes.

The use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy (ITT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is still debated in China. We present the analysis of clinico-demographic retrospective data of 646 AIS patients that were treated by alteplase ITT at our hospital. The data collected included age, gender, education, income, drug use before disease onset, and awareness of stroke/ITT. The risk factors studied were hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, valvular heart disease, thyroid disease, migraine, asymptomatic carotid stenosis, family history of stroke, hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking, drinking, and gingivitis. Pre-ITT patient data included blood pressure and time from onset to hospital. Post-ITT patient data included National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, clinical outcome, revascularization, hemorrhage, healing rate, and 90-day mortality. Hospital management information included monthly ITT cases, discharges, bed turnaround times, length of hospital stay, bed utilization, drug ratio, massive cerebral infarction decompressive craniectomy, and social impact. Prognosis evaluation was based on post-ITT NIHSS and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. We found that ITT success rate was 75.85 %, with a bleeding rate of 1.55 % and a 90-day mortality rate of 2.01 %. Overall, the data suggest that the ITT therapy was highly successful in AIS patients treated at our hospital.

Safety and Effectiveness of Intravenous Thrombolysis with Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in 80 Years and Older Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

This study aims to explore the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in elderly (≥80 years old) acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. The clinical data of patients who were treated in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from June 2012 to November 2013 were retrospectively analyzed; among them, 404 patients had received IVT with rt-PA and 200 patients had not received IVT. Among ≥80-year-old patients, 204 had received IVT and 200 had not. And the 404 patients who had received IVT were divided into two subgroups: elderly (≥80 years of age; n = 204) and controls (<80 years old; n = 200). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, case fatality rate, and other prognostic indicators were compared. Among all ≥80-year-old patients, the IVT subgroup had significantly superior good outcome rates than the non-IVT subgroup at 24-h and 3-month along with significantly lower case fatality rate. But for the patients those who had received IVT, the incidence of ICH and the 7-day case fatality rate were not significantly increased in both the elderly and control subgroups. The 24-h and 3-month good outcome rates were not significantly different between these two subgroups as well. IVT with rt-PA is a safe and effective treatment for ≥80-year-old AIS patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms of ≤3 mm.

To explore the effectiveness and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in treating acute ischemic stroke patients with concomitant intracranial aneurysms (IA) of ≤3 mm. Clinical data of patients who were treated in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from June 2012 to September 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the following groups: (a) IVT group, in which there were 30 acute ischemic stroke patients with IA of ≤3 mm and 30 patients without aneurysms; and (b) IA group, in which there were 30 patients who did not receive IVT and 30 patients who received IVT. The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, case-fatality, and good outcome rate was compared within these two groups. Inside the IVT group, the incidence of systematic intracranial hemorrhage and case-fatality showed no significant differences between patients with concomitant IA and those without IA. The 3-month good outcome rate was also not significantly different (24 [80.0 %] vs. 27 [90 %]; P = 0.278). In IA group, patients who had received IVT showed significantly superior good outcome rate than those who had not received IVT (24 [80.0 %] vs. 16 [53.3 %]; P = 0.028).The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and case-fatality rate were not significantly different between these two subgroups as well. IVT is effective and safe method for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with saccular IA of ≤3 mm.