Identification of a novel pathogenic mutation in PDHA1 gene for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the molecular genetic mechanism and genetic diagnosis of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PHD), and to provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal genetic diagnosis of PHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the 11 exons and exon junction of the PDHA1 gene from a child who was diagnosed with PHD based on clinical characteristics and laboratory examination results. The PCR products were sequenced to determine the mutation. An analysis of amino acid conservation and prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structure were performed using bioinformatic approaches to identify the pathogenicity of the novel mutation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One novel duplication mutation, c.1111_1158dup48bp, was found in the exon 11 of the PDHA1 gene of the patient. No c.1111_1158dup48bp mutation was detected in the sequencing results from 50 normal controls. The results of protein secondary and tertiary structure prediction showed that the novel mutation c.1111 _1158dup48bp led to the duplication of 16 amino acids residues, serine371 to phenylalanine386, which induced a substantial change in protein secondary and tertiary structure. The conformational change was not detected in the normal controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The novel duplication mutation c.1111_1158dup48bp in the PDHA1 gene is not due to gene polymorphisms but a possible novel pathogenic mutation for PHD.</p>

Karyotypes and pelvic ultrasonography in children with Turner syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship of karyotypes and gonadal development in children with Turner syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-one children with Turner syndrome were studied. Pelvic ultrasonography was performed on the children. Twenty healthy age-matched girls were used as control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven kinds of karyotypes were detected in 51 children with Turner syndrome. Children were classified into two groups based on karyotypes: Group 1 (45,XO; n= 24) and Group 2 (karyotypes other than 45, XO; n=27). 45,XO karyotype was the most common (47.1%), followed by 46,X,i (Xq)/45, XO (21.6%), 46,XX/45, XO (7.8%) and 47,XXX/45, XO (5.9%). Pelvic ultrasonography showed a primordial uterus in 41 cases, infantile uterus in 7 cases, congenital absence of uterus and ovary in 3 cases, simple anovarism in 42 cases and ovarian dysgenesis in 6 cases. Uterine size in both Groups 1 and 2 were significantly smaller than those of the control group (P<0.05). Group 1 showed smaller size of uterus than Group 2 (P<0.05). Ovaries were not detected in all Group 1 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The dysplasia and atrophy of ovaries and uterus exist in children with Turner syndrome. The patients with 45,XO karyotype had poorer gonadal development than those with other karyotypes.</p>