Association of Kinase-Insert-Domain-Containing Receptor Polymorphisms with Glioma Susceptibility in a Chinese Population: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: Gliomas are the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system. However, the inherited genetic variation in gliomas is presently unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the association of the rs2071559 and rs2239702 gene polymorphisms with glioma susceptibility in Chinese patients. Methods: In this study, a case-control approach was used to compare and analyze whether two genes, rs2071559 and rs2239702, were associated with the risk of glioma formation. Results: The cases and controls were matched for sex, smoking status, and family history of cancer using single nucleotide polymorphisms. Specific rs2071559 and rs2239702 alleles were found much more frequently in the glioma group than in the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: These findings suggest that specific rs2071559 and rs2239702 polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk of glioma development; the risk allele is C in rs2071559 or A in rs2239702. Moreover, the kinase-insert-domain-containing receptor may act as a suppressor of tumor progression.

Phenotypic plasticity vs. local adaptation in quantitative traits differences of Stipa grandis in semi-arid steppe, China.

Whether plants are able to adapt to environmental changes depends on their genetic characteristics and phenotypic plastic responses. We investigated the phenotypic responses of 7 populations of an important dominant species in semi-arid steppe of China - Stipa grandis, and then distinguished which adaptive mechanism(s), phenotypic plasticity or local adaptation, was/were involved in this species to adapt to environmental changes. (1) All traits were significantly influenced by the interaction of population and growth condition and by population in each condition, and inter-population variability (CVinter) was larger in the field than in the common garden for 8/9 traits, indicating that both phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation controlled the phenotypic differences of S. grandis. (2) From a functional standpoint, the significant relationships between the values of traits in the common garden and the environmental variables in their original habitats couldn't support local habitat adaptation of these traits. (3) Low CVintra, low quantitative differentiation among populations (Q ST ), and low plasticity shown in the western populations indicated the very low adaptive potential of S. grandis to environmental changes. (4) From the original habitats to the common garden which is far away from S. grandis distribution region, positive phenotypic responses were found in several populations, indicating that some original habitats have become unfavorable for S. grandis.

[Proteomic analysis of human fetal and adult brain cortex].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences of protein expression levels in the brain cortex of human fetus and adult with proteomics technique, and provide preliminary data on the change of proteins during brain development. METHODS: Proteins extracted from human temporal lobes in fetal (3 month and 5 month respectively) and adult (30 years old) brain were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). The proteins were then stained with colloidal Coomassie blue to produce a high-resolution map of the proteiome. The differential protein spots were analyzed by PDQuest 7.0 software and 8 spots, which were gradually reduced or gradually increased in brain development process and the protein spots of difference over two-fold in the brain, were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). RESULTS: (1) On average, 642, 511 and 527 protein spots could be obtained in the temporal lobes of adult, 3 month and 5 month fetus. The matching rate of images was 87%. The basic proteins in adult brain were obviously much more than that in the fetus; (2) There were 172, 171 and 152 singular protein spots in temporal lobes of adult, 3 month and 5 month fetus respectively.(3) Compared with adult, there were 131 and 115 different protein spots in the 3 month and 5 month fetus respectively. There were 60 and 40 protein spots with more than 2 fold difference, among which 24 and 17 were down-regulated, and 36 and 23 were up-regulated respectively. (4) There was different expression in proteins such as serum albumin, triosephosphate isomerase, etc. in the 3 groups. Fatty acid binding protein 7 and unnamed proteins were only highly expressed in the 3 month brain; ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit and transducin beta-1 subunit were up-regulated in adult brain. Serum albumin decreases gradually with brain development. However, ATP synthase, mitochondrial F0 complex, and triosephosphate isomerase increase gradually with brain development. CONCLUSION: The proteins of human brain cortex were obviously changed from embryonic stage to adult. The differentially displayed proteins may provide further insight into the understanding of development of human brain.

[Influence of temperature on extracellular glucose and lactate after traumatic brain injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of extracellular glucose (Glu), lactate (Lac), and the ratio of lactate/pyruvate (L/P) in patients with traumatic brain injury under different body temperatures. METHODS: Catheters for microdialysis were punctured into the penumbra zone of injured brain tissue (INJ), relatively normal brain tissue (NOR), and abdominal subcutaneous tissue (ABD) respectively in 51 patients to collect the fluid. The perfusion rate was 0.3 microl/min and one tube of fluid was collected for each hour. The average collection time was (67.10 +/- 18.27) hours. Concentrations of Glu, Lac, and pyruvate (Pyru) in the fluid were analyzed using CMA microdialysis analyzer. Patients were divided into 7 groups according to their rectal temperature (RT) values, which were RT < 33.0 degrees C, 33.0-33.9 degrees C, 34.0-34.9 degrees C, 35.0-35.9 degrees C, 36.0-36.9 degrees C, 37.0-37.9 degrees C, and > or = 38.0 degrees C. RESULTS: The concentration of Glu in ABD was significantly higher than that in the brain tissue (P < 0.05). The Glu in NOR were significantly higher and the highest in 33.0 degrees C compared with that in the INJ when RT < 36.0 degrees C (P < 0.05). The concentration of Lac in ABD was significantly lower than that in brain (P < 0.05). The Lac in NOR were much higher than that in INJ when RT < 35.0 degrees C or > or = 37.0 degrees C (P < 0.05). The ratio of L/P decreased along with the increase of body temperature (P < 0.001). The ratio of L/P significantly decreased in an order of INJ > ABD > NOR when RT was lower than 33.0 degrees C, which was changed to the order of NOR > INJ > ABD when RT was higher than 34.0 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Treatment of hypothermia may play more protective role when RT were between 33-34 degrees C or 36-37 degrees C.