Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities using whole genome amplification / 实用医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of whole genome amplification (WGA) combined with array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in prenatal diagnosis. Methods Array CGH were performed by the DNA of 18 prenatal specimens , which were amplified by WGA because of the low DNA yield. Result 3 of the 18 fetuses were 45, X0 and 9 of 15 fetuses with normal aCGH results showed healthy outcome. Conclusion It’ s feasible for prenatal diagnosis using WGA combined with aCGH which not only can shorten the reporting time but also keep the sensitivity and accuracy of detection.

Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cell lines from human amniotic fluid cells with 1q21.1 microdeletion / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reprogram the 1q21.1 microdeletion pluripotent stem cells in order to establish an ideal model for further studying its pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human amniotic fluid-derived cells induced pluripotent stem cells (hAF-iPSCs) were induced from amniotic fluid cells harboring the 1q21.1 microdeletion by retroviral vectors encoding Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4. Characteristics of the 1q21.1 microdeletion hAF-iPSCs were determined, which included in vitro pluripotency, karyotype, microarray analysis, the capacity of differentiation in vivo and in vitro, etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>hAF-iPSCs derived from amniotic fluid cells harboring the 1q21.1 microdeletion have maintained self renewal, with expression of pluripotency marker genes detectable at mRNA level. Stem cell surface antigens were tested by immunocytochemistry. The 1q21.1 microdeletion hAF-iPSCs showed a normal karyotype after long-term culturing in vitro, and harbored the same microdeletion as confirmed by microarray analysis. The cells have maintained their differentiation capacity both in vivo and in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hAF-iPSCs harboring the 1q21.1 microdeletion have all the characteristics of normal pluripotent stem cells, and can be used for directed differentiation into specific cells, which may provide an ideal model for studying the pathogenesis of 1q21.1 microdeletion in vitro.</p>

Detection for chromosomal aberrations in 43 fetuses with spontaneous abortion and stillbirth by array-based comparative genomic hybridization / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) for analyzing tissues derived from spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Agilent Human Genome CGH Microarray 4×44 K chip and Affymetrix Cytoscan 750 K Array were utilized to detect genome-wide copy number variations (CNV) in 43 fetuses with spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. All identified CNV were analyzed with references from Database of Genomic variants (DGV), database of DECIPHER, ISCA and OMIM, as well as comprehensive literature review to determine whether the identified CNVs were pathogenic. Parental DNA of two cases was also analyzed with the same arrays for pathogenic or unknown significant CNVs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the 43 specimens were successfully analyzed. Clinically significant chromosomal aberrations were identified in 32 (74.4%) of the samples, which included 26 aneuploidies and 10 pathogenic CNV.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Array-CGH is a fast and effective method for analyzing tissues derived from spontaneous abortions and stillbirths which may be difficult to culture for karyotype analysis.</p>

Multicentric randomized double blinded clinical study of Yiqi Tongmai Oral Liquid against angina pectoris in patients with coronary heart disease / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of Yiqi Tongmai Oral Liquid (YQTM), a traditional compound Chinese herbal medicine, in treating angina pectoris in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: A multicentric, randomized, double blinded and paralleled controlled trial was conducted on 110 patients in trial group treated with YQTM, and 109 patients in control group treated with Shuxin Oral Liquid (SX). Cure and effective rates in both groups were evaluated. Frequency and duration of angina attack were counted and measured. Coronary angiography (CAG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and flat exercise test were taken in both groups. Blood lipid indexes, such as cholesterol (CH), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), were determined at pre- and post-treatment. The hemodynamic indexes, such as whole blood viscosity (J2), high-shear reduced viscosity (Eh), low-shear reduced viscosity (Ei), red cell aggregation index (Lb), red cell rigidity index (Rh), fibrinogen (Fb), blood sedimentation rate (BSR) and hematocrit (HCT), were determined at pre-and post-treatment. The indicated scores of symptoms and signs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern, such as chest pain, chest constriction, breath shortness, palpitation, fatigue, dim complexion, spontaneous perspiration and tongue proper, tongue coating were evaluated in week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 during the treatment course. The safety indexes, such as body temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure were observed. Routine tests of blood, urine and stool, hepatic function test and renal function test were taken at pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the total effective rate of the trial group and that of the control group, which were 91.82% and 85.32%, respectively (P>0.05). Trial groups percentile of cure rate is significantly higher than that of the control group (P0.05). The levels of CH, TG and LDL of both groups were lowered significantly (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Yiqi Tongmai Oral Liquid bears good therapeutic effect on angina pectoris without adverse reaction, and is superior to Shuxin Oral Liquid. Yiqi Tongmai Oral Liquid is a new effective and safe medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris in patients with coronary heart disease.