Chloroplast analysis of Zelkova schneideriana (Ulmaceae): genetic diversity, population structure, and conservation implications.

Zelkova schneideriana is endemic to China and belongs to the Ulmaceae. It is listed as a Near Threatened species in the China Biodiversity Red Data Book. We conducted a phylogeographical study of two chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH and trnG-trnM) in several Chinese Z. schneideriana populations, in order to examine the genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history of the species. In all, 10 haplotypes were detected. The population from Sangzhi, Hunan, had the highest nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00653) and haplotype diversity (HD = 1.000), and should be considered the most suitable population to be protected under an in situ conservation strategy. Seed collections from as many individuals as possible in other populations would preserve the genetic diversity of Z. schneideriana.

Early evaluation of targeted therapy effectiveness in non-small cell lung cancer by dynamic contrast-enhanced CT.

PURPOSE: To study the feasibility and clinical value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) computed tomography (CT) for early evaluation of targeted therapy efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We measured tumor diameter, peak height (PH), time to peak (TP), tumor mass-aortic peak height ratio (M/A), and blood perfusion (BP) in 20 patients with advanced NSCLC using DCE-CT before and 7 days after treatment. Therapy efficacy was assessed with conventional CT 4-6 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: Patients were grouped into those with partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) according to the therapy efficacy assessment at 4-6 weeks post-treatment. The PR group primary tumor diameter (P = 0.0007) and BP (P = 0.0225) were reduced at 7 days post-treatment; the SD group DCE-CT value changes were not significant. The PD group M/A (P = 0.0443) and BP (P = 0.0268) were increased 7 days post-treatment. The BP decrease group had significantly longer progression-free survival than the BP increase group (median, 54 vs. 6 weeks). CONCLUSION: DCE-CT can evaluate targeted therapy efficacy at 7 days post-treatment. Decreased primary tumor diameter and BP indicate tumor sensitivity to therapy; increased BP with unchanged tumor diameter suggests the tumor is not sensitive to therapy. Reduced BP suggests treatment effectiveness.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Zelkova schneideriana Hand.-Mazz.

Zelkova schneideriana is a highly valued hardwood species. An improved technique for isolating codominant compound microsatellite markers was used to develop simple sequence repeat markers for Z. schneideriana. A total of 12 microsatellite loci were identified. Overall, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 8-19, with an average of 11.75. Observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.109-0.709 and 0.832-0.929, respectively. Polymorphic information content is from 0.803-0.915, with an average of 0.854. These markers will be very important for future research related to the genetic diversity, population structure, patterns of gene flow, and mating system of this species.

Analysis of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.

This study aimed to analyze the impact factors and outcome of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients over 65 years old that suffered from atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 256 elderly patients with AF over 65 years old were divided into 3 groups: 65-74 years old (N = 86), 75-84 years old (N = 122), and over 85 years old (N = 48). The clinical characteristics, antithrombotic therapy, and its related impact factors were retrospectively analyzed. Of all patients, 187 received antithrombotic therapy. In the 65-74 year-old group, 78 patients received antiplatelet treatment (90.7%) and 5 patients received anticoagulation treatment (5.8%). In the 75-84 year-old group, 76 patients received antiplatelet treatment (62.3%) and 14 patients received anticoagulation treatment (11.5%). In the group of over 85 year-olds, 33 patients received antiplatelet therapy (68.8%) and 4 patients received anticoagulation treatment (8.3%). Eleven patients had deep vein thrombosis and atrial thrombosis during antiplatelet therapy (5.9%), 5 patients had gastrointestinal hemorrhage after antiplatelet therapy (2.7%), 2 patients had gastrointestinal bleeding, and 3 patients had brain hemorrhage after anticoagulation treatment (21.7%). Suboptimal antithrombotic therapy was observed in the elderly patients with AF, partly owing to the risks of both thromboembolism and bleeding.