Study on the epigenetic methylation modification of bipolar disorder major genes.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study changes and possible roles of epigenetic modification of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder, and provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients with bipolar disorder were enrolled in this study from January 2014 to June 2015; also, 50 healthy subjects were enrolled as control group. The patients were followed up for 18 months and followed up once every 3 months to review the methylation status. The methylation status was examined before and after treatment, and the patients were followed up every 3 months after treatment, and the follow-up period was 18 months. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, there were 2075 CpG island aberrant methylation points in patients with bipolar disorder, which can be divided into 24 categories. Log-Ratio > 0.5 was used as the positive criteria, and COMT and PPIEL were identified as the genes associated with bipolar disorder. Compared with the control group, the levels of COMT and PPIEL gene methylation in the observation group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the methylation level of COMT and PPIEL gene between the two groups (p > 0.05) after 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The methylation level of COMT and PPIEL gene is closely related to bipolar disorder.

Significant association between lower pulse pressure and increasing levels of a novel type of phospholipid.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between pulse pressure and a novel type of phospholipid with solubility similar to that of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), designated as AP, which was reported to be elevated during ischemia. In this cross-sectional study, 416 hypertensive patients and 252 controls aged between 35 and 70 years were enrolled consecutively. Fasting blood samples were extracted for assays of phospholipids and other biomarkers. Compared to controls, the hypertensive patients had higher levels of both LPA [odds ratio (OR) = 3.83] and AP (OR = 4.30). Changes in blood pressure did not affect the levels of LPA or AP. However AP, but not LPA, levels were significantly higher in patients with lower or higher pulse pressure (Pearson χ(2) = 11.239, P = 0.001). For patients whose pulse pressure was ≤60 mmHg, plasma levels of AP were significantly negatively correlated with pulse pressure. However, this was not observed for LPA and nine other biomarkers, including lipoproteins. Plasma levels of AP increased in hypertensive patients with higher or lower pulse pressure. Thus, attention should be paid to the possibility of cerebral ischemia in hypertensive patients when they have abnormal pulse pressure, especially for those with relatively low pulse pressure.

[140 cases of acute leukemia caused by bimolane].

The cooperative group included 18 provincial and district hospitals. A retrospective study was carried out on 140 cases of therapy related leukemia (TRL) caused by bimolane (BML) for psoriasis from 1984 to 1992. This series of BML-TRL consists of 90 male and 50 female patients. 87.1% of them were from 20 to 50 years old. Annual incidence varied from 4 to 24 cases, and was maintained at this level through the period from 1986 to 1991 without any declining tendency. The average time interval between BML administration and diagnosis of leukemia was 46 months. 138 cases were diagnosed as ANLL and 2 cases were suspected of having ALL. Subtype frequency was shown as follows: M3 > M2 > M5 > M4 > M1 > M6. 67.1% of the patients had a low peripheral white blood cell counts (< 5 x 10(9)/L). 116 patients received chemotherapy. A 26.7% remission rate was obtained with 18.1% complete remission and 8.6% partial remission. A 115 day median survival was calculated through a follow up survey of 95 patients. Finally, we concluded that: (1) This has been the largest group of non-cancer-therapy-related-leukemia patients ever reported. This type of leukemia is characterized by a shorter latent period, higher remission rate less incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome and more frequent occurrence of leukopenia, as compared with other types of TRL. BML is supposed to be a strong leukemia-causing cytotoxic agent. Use of this drug in psoriasis and other benign diseases is not recommended.