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Objective To investigate the correlations between the FBN1 gene mutation types and the clinical phenotype . Methods 87 probands with Marfan or Marfan-like syndromes and their family members were enrolled in this study ( total 300 cases).The clinical manifestations of each patients involving the ocular, cardiovascular system, skeletal system and other im-plicated systems were collected and evaluated .According to the clinical manifestations , these patients were divided into two groups, namely aortic dissection group and aortic root aneurysm group.Blood samples were taken from patients and DNA se-quencing was performed on each patient by the genetic aortic disease gene Panel .The detected single nucleotide variants ( SNVs)/indel were interpreted according to the ACMG guidelines, and the pathogenic variation was confirmed through Sanger sequencing.The aortic wall tissue was obtained from MFS patients who underwent surgery .The correlations between genotypes and clinical phenotypes were further explored by comparing the aortic wall tissue histological specimens of each genotype pa-tient.Results A total of 92 FBN1 mutations(31％) were detected in 300 people with Marfan syndromes or Marfan-like syn-dromes, 18 of which were undiscovered mutations.There were 49 missense mutations(53.26％), 13 splicing mutations (14.13％), 17 frameshift mutations(18.48％), and 13 nonsense mutations(14.13％).In this cohort, 24 cases had aortic dissection and 25 cases were aortic root aneurysm.Statistical analysis revealed that patients with aortic dissection mostly ap-peared in frameshift mutations(29.17％ vs.4.00％, P =0.017).However, patients with aortic root aneurysm mostly ap-peared in missense mutations(72.00％ vs.37.50％, P =0.015), and accompanied with ectopia lentis(41.67％ vs. 8.33％, P=0.008).Pathological specimens staining found that elastic fibers in the aortic wall of patients with frameshift mu-tations are sparser, and the smooth muscle cells are more deficient and more disorganized than patients with missense muta-tions.Conclusion FBN1 gene frameshift mutations result a lack of elastic fibers and disorganized smooth muscle cells in aor-tic wall and are presented more in patients with aortic dissection than aortic root aneurysm .
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the application values of prenatal ultrasound, vascular cast in the diagnosis of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies and to analyze the genetic characteristics by gene detection.@*Methods@#Twenty-two cases of the vascular cast specimens of the fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies were analyzed and studied by comparing with their prenatal ultrasonography. Then the characteristics of each type of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies, the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis were summarized and the results of their gene detection were also analyzed.@*Results@#The 22 cases of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies were as follows: 2 cases of double aortic arch showed the ascending aorta was divided into two branches after converging as the descending aorta. Three cases were left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery. Twelve cases were right aortic arch: 8 cases were right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, 3 cases were right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery, 1 case was right aortic arch with isolated left subclavian artery. Of the 8 right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, 3 cases of left arterial duct showed the vertical walking between the fusion site of the left innominate artery and the pulmonary artery. Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery with arterial duct showed "U" shaped vascular ring. Five cases were other types, including 2 cases of the coarctation of aortic arch, 1 case of interrupted aortic arch, 1 case of pulmonary artery sling, and 1 case of abnormal origin of right pulmonary artery. The ultrasonic missed diagnosis were the 6 deformities: 3 cases of arterial duct and 3 cases of aberrant subclavian artery. The ultrasonic misdiagnosis were the 5 deformities: 2 cases of arterial duct location, 1 case of aberrant subclavian artery, 1 case of isolated left subclavian artery, and 1 case of the coarctation of aortic arch. Genetic test results: In the 18 cases of the genetic detection, 2 cases were positive, 1 case was 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome and 1 case was carrying KMT2D gene variant.@*Conclusions@#There are various kinds of fetal aortic arch and its branches anomalies, which are often associated with intracardiac malformations and venous branches variation. And prenatal ultrasound is of great value in diagnosing them.Vascular cast can visually display their characteristic changes, which is helpful to improve the differential diagnosis of the different aortic arch and its branches anomalies. The detailed genetic detection can improve the further understanding of its etiology.
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Objective To discuss the predisposing causes and echocardiographic findings of abnormal cardiac calcifications in fetuses.Methods The echocardiographic and pathological data of 12 fetuses with abnormal cardiac calcifications were retrospectively reviewed,and the pregnancy outcome,predisposing cause and echocardiographic features were analyzed.Results Associated maternal positive anti-SSA/SSB antibody was found in 8 fetuses.The echocardiographic findings of these 8 fetuses were extensive hyper-echogenic thickened atrial wall,interatrial septal and atrioventricular roof.Cardiac myocardium dystrophic calcification was found in 3 fetuses with focal or extensive hyper-echogenic of myocardium.Idiopathic infantile calcification with thickening and hyper-echogenic wall of main pulmonary artery and aorta with obvious stenosis of artery were observed in 1 fetus.One fetus with dystrophic myocardium calcification was continued in pregnancy,1 maternal anti-SSA/SSB antibody (+) baby was born,and 10 fetuses were terminated.Conclusion Maternal anti SSA/ SSB antibody (-) is predominantly associated with fetal cardiac calcification.Fetal abnormal cardiac calcification with different predisposing causes have different echocardiographic features.