Dissociation of microdissected mouse brain tissue for artifact free single-cell RNA sequencing.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides the transcriptome of individual cells and addresses previously intractable problems including the central nervous system's transcriptional responses during health and disease. However, dissociating brain cells is challenging and induces artificial transcriptional responses. Here, we describe an enzymatic dissociation method for mouse brain that prevents dissociation artifacts and lowers technical variations with standardized steps.

White matter aging drives microglial diversity.

Aging results in gray and white matter degeneration, but the specific microglial responses are unknown. Using single-cell RNA sequencing from white and gray matter separately, we identified white matter-associated microglia (WAMs), which share parts of the disease-associated microglia (DAM) gene signature and are characterized by activation of genes implicated in phagocytic activity and lipid metabolism. WAMs depend on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) signaling and are aging dependent.

Evaluating nuchal translucency scans performed for trisomy screening in a district general hospital between July 1998 and January 2004.

In October 2003, The National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended screening tests for Down's syndrome (DS) to come into effect from April 2007. These tests were recommended based on studies performed in research centres. Some of the recommended tests have a fetal nuchal translucency scan component.