A novel molecular classification method for osteosarcoma based on tumor cell differentiation trajectories

Subclassification of tumors based on molecular features may facilitate therapeutic choice and increase the response rate of cancer patients.However,the highly complex cell origin involved in osteosarcoma(OS)limits the utility of traditional bulk RNA sequencing for OS subclassification.Single-cell RNA sequencing(sc RNA-seq)holds great promise for identifying cell heterogeneity.However,this technique has rarely been used in the study of tumor subclassification.By analyzing sc RNA-seq data for six conventional OS and nine cancellous bone(CB)samples,we identified 29 clusters in OS and CB samples and discovered three differentiation trajectories from the cancer stem cell(CSC)-like subset,which allowed us to classify OS samples into three groups.The classification model was further examined using the TARGET dataset.Each subgroup of OS had different prognoses and possible drug sensitivities,and OS cells in the three differentiation branches showed distinct interactions with other clusters in the OS microenvironment.In addition,we verified the classification model through IHC staining in 138 OS samples,revealing a worse prognosis for Group B patients.Furthermore,we describe the novel transcriptional program of CSCs and highlight the activation of EZH2 in CSCs of OS.These findings provide a novel subclassification method based on sc RNA-seq and shed new light on the molecular features of CSCs in OS and may serve as valuable references for precision treatment for and therapeutic development in OS.

Study on Quality Standard of Zhuang Medicine Buddlejae Flos

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the quality control method and establish the quality standard of Zhuang medicine Buddlejae Flos.[Methods]The microscopic identification method was adopted to identify the characters and microscopic characteristics of dried Buddlejae Flos in combination with traditional experience.The moisture,ash,acid-insoluble components and extracts of Buddlejae Flos were determined with reference to general rules of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition).TLC identification was performed.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)was used to determine the contents of linarin and verbascoside in Buddlejae Flos,and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)was adopted to detect pesticide residues in Buddlejae Flos.Heavy metal elements As,Cd and Pb were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).[Results]The established method is simple and accurate.Clear spots were observed on the thin layer chromatograms,and the resolution was good.The average value of moisture content was 12.24%;the average value of ash content was 5.1%;the average value of acid-insoluble content was 7.5%;and the average value of extract content was 27.3%.The regression equation of rutin in Buddlejae Flos was y=11.896x-0.0049,R^(2)=0.9996,and the contents of linarin and verbascoside were 5680 and 2080 mg/kg,respectively.No pesticide residues and heavy metals were detected in the medicinal materials of Buddlejae Flos.[Conclusions]This study can provide reference for the quality standard control of Guangxi Zhuang medicine Buddlejae Flos.

Surgical outcomes of mini-open Wiltse approach and conventional open approach in patients with single-segment thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic injury

This study aimed to introduce a novel mini-open pedicle screw fixation technique via Wiltse approach, and com- pared it with the traditional posterior open method. A total of 72 cases of single-segment thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic injury underwent pedicle screw fixation via two different approaches. Among them, 37 patients were treated using posterior open surgery, and 35 patients received mini-open operation via Wiltse approach. Crew placement accuracy rate, operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospitalization time, radiation exposure time, postoperative improvement in R value, Cobb＇s angle and visual analog scale （VAS） scores of the two methods were compared. There were no significant differences in the accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement, radiation exposure and postoperative R value and Cobb＇s angle improvement between the two groups. However, the mini-open method had obvious advantages over the conventional open method in operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospitalization time, and postoperative improvement in VAS. The mini-open pedicle screw technique could be applied in treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar fracture without neurologic injury and had advantages of less tissue trauma, short operative and rehabilitative time on the premise of guaranteed accuracy rate and no increased radiation exposure.

Soil characteristics and ecological thresholds of Suaeda salsa wetlands

Suaeda salsa is an annual euhalophyte in estuarine wetlands.Soil properties of wetlands have an important influence on S.salsa growth.Therefore,the soil ecological thresholds is valuable for the restoration of degraded S.salsa wetlands.The objectives of this present study were to analyze the soil physicochemical properties and evaluate the soil ecological thresholds in the typical degraded areas for S.salsa growth.Soil text components became coarser with increased sand contents and less clay contents,as the higher degree of wetland degradation.Meanwhile,the salt contents in different soil depths gradually increased with the increased degree of degradation of wetlands.Evident changes in soil water content,organic matter content,and cations concentrations were not observed,while the concentrations of these factors were higher in the soil layer of 0-10 cm than those in the 20-30 cm.The soil pH in the 0-10 cm soil layer was lower than that in the 20-30 cm.The content of the three available nutrients did not change evidently with the increasing degree of degradation.The optimum thresholds of soil salinity and water content were 7.073-16.613 g/kg and 31.8-63.2%,respectively.