Molecular and functional study of pediatric patients with Niemann-Pick C in Argentina / Estudio molecular y funcional de pacientes pediátricos con Niemann-Pick C en Argentina

Abstract Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder. At least 95% of all the cases with this disease are due to mutations in the NPC1 gene. The clinical signs and symptoms of NP-C are classified into visceral, neurological and psychiatric. Our aim is to report the clinical findings, molecular results and filipin staining of 4 patients. The age of onset, expressed as median and range, was 0.2 (0.08-4.0) years and the age of diagnosis was 4.0 (2.5-8.9) years. Neurological and/or visceral manifestations were presented in our patients. Foamy cells in bone marrow biopsy were found in two patients. Through a molecular analysis of NPC1 gene, one non-reported (novel) and 4 previously described mutations were found. The filipin staining showed a positive pattern in all the patients. The diagnostic confirmation of these pediatric patients means a contribution to the casuistry of this disease in Argentina.

Resumen Niemann-Pick tipo C (NP-C) es una enfermedad poco frecuente, con un patrón de herencia au tosómico recesivo. Al menos el 95% de los casos se producen por mutaciones en el gen NPC1. Los signos y síntomas clínicos de NP-C se clasifican en viscerales, neurológicos y psiquiátricos. En este trabajo presentamos los hallazgos clínicos, los resultados moleculares y la tinción con filipina de 4 pacientes con NP-C. La edad de presentación de los primeros síntomas, expresada como mediana y rango, fue de 0.2 años (0.08-4.0) años y la edad del diagnóstico fue 4.0 (2.5-8.9) años. Los pacientes presentaron manifestaciones neurológicas y / o vis cerales. Se encontraron células espumosas en la biopsia de médula ósea en 2 pacientes. El análisis molecular del gen NPC1 encontró 1 variante nueva y 4 previamente publicadas. La tinción de filipina mostró un patrón positivo en todos los pacientes. La confirmación diagnóstica de este grupo de pacientes pediátricos significa un aporte a la casuística de esta enfermedad en Argentina.

Analysis of the laboratory detection methods and clinical characteristics in 2019-nCoV Omicron variants / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the laboratory detection methods and clinical characteristics of patients with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant infection, to realize the rapid identification and diagnosis of 2019-nCoV Omicron variants.Methods:Totally 80 overseas patients in First Hospital of Changsha from December 16 in 2021 to January 5 in 2022 were selected, the nucleic acids and mutant genes were detected by fluorescent PCR and genome sequencing, and the clinical characteristics of patients with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant infection were analyzed.Results:The specificity was 100% (58/58) and positive predictive value was 100% (21/21) respectively, the sensitivity was 95.5% (21/22), negative predictive value was 98.3% (58/59) by detected with fluorescent PCR. It was found that there were 45-50 nucleotide displacement sites in the genome and 25-30 amino acid mutation sites in S gene fragment by genome sequencing. Clinical analysis showed that mild cases were 59.1% (13/22) in layouts, without severe and critical cases. Ages were positively associated with the clinical classification (ρ=0.698, P<0.001), foundation infections were positively associated with the clinical classification (ρ=0.636, P<0.001). Conclusions:Patients with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant infection had a high viral load and long negative conversion time of nucleic acid. Ages and foundation infections were positively associated with the clinical classification. AST/ALT was higher in the early stage of the disease. Fluorescent PCR method can be used in rapid screening patients with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant infection.

Value of detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for Down's syndrome screening / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the value of detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for Down's syndrome screening.Methods:A total of 1667 pregnant women who were at a higher risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome who received Down's syndrome screening in the First People's Hospital of Datong between January 2020 and March 2021 were prospectively analyzed. After detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood, pregnant women who were at a higher risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome decided whether to accept amniocentesis for fetal karyotype. Then follow-up was performed for collecting related information. Finally, detection results of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood, fetal karyotype results and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.Results:The positive predictive value of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 and chromosome abnormality were 100.0%, 100.0%, 0.0% and 66.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and total specificity of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood were 100.0% and 99.8%, respectively. The false positive rate of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for trisomy 13 and chromosome abnormality was 0.12% and 0.06%, respectively.Conclusion:A high degree of coincidence between detection results of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood and fetal karyotype results can be used as a prenatal screening for Down's syndrome. This has certain guiding significance for invasive prenatal diagnosis through amniocentesis-based fetal karyotype analysis.

Gain-of-function STAT1 mutation and visceral leishmaniasis

ABSTRACT Gain-of-function mutations in the STAT1 gene have been initially associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. However, further research has shown that STAT1 GOF variants may increase susceptibility to infection by other intracellular pathogens. This report describes the first case of disseminated leishmaniasis associated with a STAT1 GOF mutation in a pediatric patient who did not have chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. The patient was a four-year-old boy presenting with fever, severe asthenia, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and liver failure. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hemophagocytosis and Leishmania parasites. Treatment consisted primarily of liposomal amphotericin B, as per the Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis 2004 protocol. After eight weeks of treatment, the patient did not improve and was submitted to diagnostic splenectomy. Activated macrophages and nodular spleen necrosis secondary to the visceral leishmaniasis were detected. Unfortunately, the patient died in the second week after splenectomy due to overwhelming systemic infection. DNA sequencing revealed a pathogenic (p. R274Q) GOF mutation in STAT1.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3) mutations in high-grade muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer in a Brazilian population: evaluation and prevalence

ABSTRACT Objective To understand the feasibility of FGFR3 tests in the Brazilian public health context, and to sample the mutational burden of this receptor in high-grade muscle invasive bladder cancer. Methods A total of 31 patients with high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancer were included in the present study. Either transurethral resection of bladder tumor or radical cystectomy specimens were analyzed. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were sectioned, hematoxylin and eosin stained, and histologic sections were reviewed. Total RNA was extracted using the RNeasy DSP formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded kit. Qualitative results were displayed in Rotor-Gene AssayManager software. Results Six patients were excluded. From the samples analyzed, four (16.7%) were considered inadequate and could not have their RNA extracted. Two patients presented FGFR3 mutations, accounting for 9.5% of material available for adequate analysis. The two mutations detected included a Y373C mutation in a male patient and a S249C mutation in a female patient. Conclusion FGFR3 mutations could be analyzed in 84% of our cohort and occurred in 9.5% of patients with high-grade muscle invasive bladder cancer in this Brazilian population. FGFR3 gene mutations are targets for therapeutic drugs in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. For this reason, know the frequency of these mutations can have a significant impact on public health policies and costs provisioning.

Correlation between the number of false positive variants and the quality of results using Ion Torrent PGM™ sequencing to screen BRCA genes / Correlación entre el número de variantes de falsos positivos y la calidad de los resultados en la secuenciación con Ion Torrent PGM™ para seleccionar genes BRCA

Abstract | Introduction: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is cost-effective and a faster method to study genes, but its protocol is challenging. Objective: To analyze different adjustments to the protocol for screening the BRCA genes using Ion Torrent PGM sequencing and correlate the results with the number of false positive (FP) variants. Materials and methods: We conducted a library preparation process and analyzed the number of FP InDels, the library concentration, the number of cycles in the target amplification step, the purity of the nucleic acid, the input, and the number of samples/Ion 314 chips in association with the results obtained by NGS. Results: We carried out 51 reactions and nine adjustments of protocols and observed eight FP InDels in homopolymer regions. No FP Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism variant was observed; 67.5% of protocol variables were jointly associated with the quality of the results obtained (p<0.05). The number of FP InDels decreased when the quality of results increased. Conclusion: The Ion AmpliSeq BRCA1/BRCA2 Community Panel had a better performance using four samples per Ion-314 chip instead of eight and the optimum number of cycles in the amplification step, even when using high-quality DNA, was 23. We observed better results with the manual equalization process and not using the Ion Library Equalizer kit. These adjustments provided a higher coverage of the variants and fewer artifacts (6.7-fold). Laboratories must perform internal validation because FP InDel variants can vary according to the quality of results while the NGS assay should be validated with Sanger.

Resumen | Introducción. La secuenciación de nueva generación es un método rentable y rápido para el estudio de los genes, pero su protocolo entraña desafíos. Objetivo. Investigar diferentes ajustes del protocolo de selección de los genes BRCAmediante secuenciación de Ion Torrent PGM™ y correlacionar los resultados con el número de variantes de falso positivo. Materiales y métodos. El proceso de preparación de la biblioteca, el número de falsos positivos InDels, la concentración de la biblioteca, el número de ciclos en el paso de amplificación de objetivos, la pureza del ácido nucleico, la entrada y el número de muestras por chip del Ion-314 se analizaron en asociación con los resultados obtenidos por secuenciación de nueva generación secuenciación de nueva generación. Resultados. Se hicieron 51 reacciones y nueve ajustes de los protocolos, y se observaron ocho falsos positivos InDels en las regiones de homopolímeros. No se observó ninguna variante de polimorfismo de nucleótido simple falso positivo. En 67,5 % de los casos, las variables de protocolo en su conjunto se asociaron con la calidad de los resultados obtenidos (p<0,05). El número de falsos positivos InDels disminuyó al aumentar la calidad de los resultados. Conclusiones. El panel comunitario Ion AmpliSeq BRCA1/BRCA2 tuvo un mejor rendimiento, con cuatro muestras por chip Ion-314 en lugar de ocho, y el número de ciclos en el paso de amplificación, incluso con ADN de alta calidad, fue mejor con 23. Se observaron mejores resultados con el proceso de ecualización manual y sin el uso del kit Ion Library Equalizer. Estos ajustes proporcionaron una mayor cobertura de las variantes y menos artefactos. Los laboratorios deben realizar la validación interna porque las variantes de falsos positivos InDel pueden variar según la calidad de los resultados. La secuenciación de próxima generación debe validarse con Sanger.

EFECTO DEL FILTRADO DE SECUENCIAS EN EL ENSAMBLADO DEL GENOMA DE Bacillus altitudinis 19RS3 AISLADO DE Ilex paraguariensis / Effect of sequence filtering on the assembly of the Bacillus altitudinis 19RS3 genome isolated from Ilex paraguariensis

RESUMEN El filtrado de secuencias es un paso esencial sin importar el tipo de tecnología aplicada para la secuenciación de un genoma, en el cual las lecturas de baja calidad o una parte son eliminadas. En un ensamblado la construcción de un genoma se realiza a partir de la unión de lecturas cortas en cóntigos. Algunos ensambladores miden la relación que existe entre secuencias de una longitud fija (k-mer) que puede verse afectada por la presencia de secuencias de baja calidad. Un enfoque común para evaluar los ensamblados se basa en el análisis del número de cóntigos, la longitud del cóntigo más largo y el valor del N50, definido como la longitud del cóntigo que representa el 50 % de la longitud del conjunto. En este contexto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto del uso de lecturas crudas y filtradas en los valores de los parámetros de calidad obtenidos en el ensamblado del genoma de Bacillus altitudinis 19RS3 aislada de Ilex paraguariensis. Se realizó el análisis de calidad de ambos archivos de partida con el software FastqC y se filtraron las lecturas con el softwareTrimmomatic. Para el ensamblado se utilizó el software SPAdes y para su evaluación la herramienta QUAST. El mejor ensamblado para B. altitudinis 19RS3 se obtuvo a partir de las lecturas filtradas con el valor de k-mer 79, que generó 16 cóntigos mayores a 500 pb con un N50 de 931 914 pb y el cóntigo más largo de 966 271 pb.

ABSTRACT Sequence filtering is an essential step regardless of the type of technology applied for sequencing a genome, in which low-quality readings or a portion are eliminated. In an assembly, the construction of a genome is carried out from the union of short reads in contigs. Some assemblers measure the relationship between sequences of a fixed length (k-mer) that can be affected by the presence of low-quality sequences. A common approach to evaluating assemblies is based on the analysis of the number of contigs, the length of the longest contig, and the value of N50 defined as the length of the contig representing 50 % of the length of the assembly. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of crude and filtered reads on the values of the quality parameters obtained from the genome assembly of Bacillus altituidinis 19RS3 isolated from Ilex paraguariensis. The quality analysis of both starting files was performed with the FastqC software and the readings were filtered with the Trimmomatic software. The SPAdes software was used for the assembly and the QUAST tool for its evaluation. The best assembly for B. altitudinis 19RS3 was obtained from the filtered readings with the value of k-mer 79, which generated 16 contigs greater than 500 bp with a N50 of 931 914 bp and the longest contig of 966 271 bp.

Identification of genomic imbalances in oral clefts

Abstract Objective This article presents a clinical and cytogenomic approach that focuses on the diagnosis of syndromic oral clefts (OCs). Methods The inclusion criteria were individuals with OC presenting four or more minor signs and no major defects (non-syndromic oral clefts [NSOCs]) as well as individuals with OC presenting at least another major defect, regardless of the number of minor signs (syndromic oral clefts [SOCs]). The exclusion criteria included NSOC with less than four minor signs, SOC with known etiology, as well as atypical oral clefts. Results Of 1647 individuals with OC recorded in the Brazilian Database of Craniofacial Anomalies, 100 individuals were selected for chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). Among these, 44 individuals were clinically classified as NSOC and 56 as SOC. CMA was performed for both groups, and abnormal CMA was identified in 9%, all previously classified as SCO. The clinical and CMA data analyses showed a significant predominance of abnormal CMA in individuals classified as SOC (p = 0.0044); prematurity, weight, length, and head circumference at birth were significantly lower in the group with abnormal CMA. Besides, minor signs were significantly higher in this group (p = 0.0090). Conclusion The rigorous selection of cases indicates that the significant variables could help in early recognition of SOC. This study reinforces the importance of applying the CMA technique to establish the diagnosis of SOC. This is an important and universal issue in clinical practice for intervention, care, and genetic counseling.

MCDB: A comprehensive curated mitotic catastrophe database for retrieval, protein sequence alignment, and target prediction

Mitotic catastrophe (MC) is a form of programmed cell death induced by mitotic process disorders, which is very important in tumor prevention, development, and drug resistance. Because rapidly increased data for MC is vigorously promoting the tumor-related biomedical and clinical study, it is urgent for us to develop a professional and comprehensive database to curate MC-related data. Mitotic Catastrophe Database (MCDB) consists of 1214 genes/proteins and 5014 compounds collected and organized from more than 8000 research articles. Also, MCDB defines the confidence level, classification criteria, and uniform naming rules for MC-related data, which greatly improves data reliability and retrieval convenience. Moreover, MCDB develops protein sequence alignment and target prediction functions. The former can be used to predict new potential MC-related genes and proteins, and the latter can facilitate the identification of potential target proteins of unknown MC-related compounds. In short, MCDB is such a proprietary, standard, and comprehensive database for MC-relate data that will facilitate the exploration of MC from chemists to biologists in the fields of medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, oncology and so on. The MCDB is distributed on http://www.combio-lezhang.online/MCDB/index_html/.

Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in sepsis in liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Due to persistent systemic inflammation and immunosuppressive conditions, patients with liver cirrhosis are susceptible to bacterial infection, which may progress to sepsis without proper control. Early effective antibiotic therapy is the key to improving the prognosis of patients with sepsis. This article briefly describes the pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis in patients with liver cirrhosis and the current status of the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis, and it is pointed out that metagenomic next-generation sequencing can be used to guide effective antibacterial treatment of sepsis.

Pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine: an exploration based on prescription sequence analysis and prescription sequence symmetry analysis / 中国中药杂志

Multiple methods should be incorporated into the research on pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM for a comprehensive and objective evaluation. The arrival of the era of medical big data allows it to be deeply integrated into medical research. The real world study(RWS) represented by hospital information system(HIS) provides a data basis for exploring the pharmacovigilance of TCM. Prescription sequence analysis(PSA) and prescription sequence symmetry analysis(PSSA) developed based on the former serve as a methodological basis for clinical safety evaluation of Chinese patent medicines after marketing. By collating the related studies of HIS, PSA and PSSA and employing the propensity score matching( PSM) method and nested case-control study(NCCS), this paper formed a HIS-, PSA-and PSSA-based technical system for clinical safety evaluation of Chinese patent medicines in the real world, in order to provide a methodological demonstration for the future research on the pharmacovigilance of TCM.

Cloning and temporal-spatial expression analysis of dfr gene from Scutellaria baicalensis with different colors / 生物工程学报

Dihydroflavanol-4-reductase (Dfr) is a key enzyme that regulates the synthesis of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. To investigate the difference of dfr gene in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with different colors in the same ecological environment, three complete full-length sequences of dfr gene were cloned from the cDNA of S. baicalensis with white, purple-red and purple colors using homologous cloning and RACE techniques. The three genes were named Sbdfr1, Sbdfr2 and Sbdfr3, respectively, and their corresponding structures were analyzed. The results showed that all three Dfr proteins have highly conserved NADPH binding sites and substrate-specific binding sites. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they are closely related to that of the known S. viscidula (ACV49882.1). Analysis of key structural domains and 3D models revealed differences in the catalytically active regions on the surface of all three Dfr proteins, and their unique structural characteristics may provide favorable conditions for studying the substrate specificity of different Dfr proteins. qRT-PCR analysis shows that dfr was expressed at different level in all tissues except the roots of S. baicalensis in full-bloom. During floral development, the expression level of dfr in white and purple-flowered Scutellaria showed an overall upward trend. In purple-red-flowered Scutellaria, the expression first slowly increased, followed by a decrease, and then rapidly increased to the maximum. This research provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism and function of Dfr substrate selectivity, and are of great scientific value for elucidating the molecular mechanism of floral color variation in S. baicalensis.

Molecular traceability of the pathogen of the first local dengue infection outbreak in Hubei Province in 2019 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To identify the etiology of the first local dengue infection outbreak in Hubei Province in 2019, and to determine the serotype and genotype of the virus and trace its source. Methods Serum samples were collected from dengue fever cases in the acute phase. The IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)，and the serotype was determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR. C6/36 cells were used to isolate virus and obtain virus E gene and complete genome sequence for systematic evolution analysis to trace the possible source of infection. Results The pathogen of the outbreak was identified as dengue serotype I infection，and five virus strains were isolated. Sequence analysis showed that the virus belonged to genotype I of dengue I, and had the highest homology with the strain isolated in Guangzhou, 2019. Conclusion The first local dengue infection outbreak in Hubei Province in 2019 was caused by genotype I of the type I dengue virus.

Polymerase chain reaction targeting 16S ribosomal RNA for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis after neurosurgery

OBJECTIVES: Bacterial and aseptic meningitis after neurosurgery can present similar clinical signs and symptoms. The aims of this study were to develop and test a molecular method to diagnose bacterial meningitis (BM) after neurosurgery. METHODS: A 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR-based strategy was developed using artificially inoculated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) followed by sequencing. The method was tested using CSF samples from 43 patients who had undergone neurosurgery and were suspected to suffer from meningitis, and from 8 patients without neurosurgery or meningitis. Patients were classified into five groups, confirmed BM, probable BM, possible BM, unlikely BM, and no meningitis. RESULTS: Among the samples from the 51 patients, 21 samples (41%) were culture-negative and PCR-positive. Of these, 3 (14%) were probable BM, 4 (19%) were possible BM, 13 (62%) were unlikely BM, and 1 (5%) was meningitis negative. Enterobacterales, non-fermenters (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii), Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Granulicatella, Variovorax, and Enterococcus cecorum could be identified. In the group of patients with meningitis, a good agreement (3 of 4) was observed with the results of cultures, including the identification of species. CONCLUSION: Molecular methods may complement the diagnosis, guide treatment, and identify non-cultivable microorganisms. We suggest the association of methods for suspected cases of BM after neurosurgery, especially for instances in which the culture is negative.

The mutational repertoire of uterine sarcomas and carcinosarcomas in a Brazilian cohort: A preliminary study

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to contribute to the catalog of genetic mutations involved in the carcinogenic processes of uterine sarcomas (USs) and carcinosarcomas (UCSs), which may assist in the accurate diagnosis of, and selection of treatment regimens for, these conditions. METHODS: We performed gene-targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 409 cancer-related genes in 15 US (7 uterine leiomyosarcoma [ULMS], 7 endometrial stromal sarcoma [ESS], 1 adenosarcoma [ADS]), 5 UCS, and 3 uterine leiomyoma (ULM) samples. Quality, frequency, and functional filters were applied to select putative somatic variants. RESULTS: Among the 23 samples evaluated in this study, 42 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations and 111 missense mutations were detected, with a total of 153 mutations. Among them, 66 mutations were observed in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. TP53 (48%), ATM (22%), and PIK3CA (17%) were the most frequently mutated genes. With respect to specific tumor subtypes, ESS showed mutations in the PDE4DIP, IGTA10, and DST genes, UCS exhibited mutations in ERBB4, and ULMS showed exclusive alterations in NOTCH2 and HER2. Mutations in the KMT2A gene were observed exclusively in ULM and ULMS. In silico pathway analyses demonstrated that many genes mutated in ULMS and ESS have functions associated with the cellular response to hypoxia and cellular response to peptide hormone stimulus. In UCS and ADS, genes with most alterations have functions associated with phosphatidylinositol kinase activity and glycerophospholipid metabolic process. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study observed pathogenic mutations in US and UCS samples. Further studies with a larger cohort and functional analyses will foster the development of a precision medicine-based approach for the treatment of US and UCS.

Detección de la mutación de la enzima isocitrato deshidrogenasa en gliomas difusos grados II, III y IV / Detection of isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme mutation in grades II, III and IV diffuse gliomas

Introducción. Los gliomas son las neoplasias malignas primarias más frecuentes del sistema nervioso central, asociadas con una mortalidad y morbilidad elevadas. Las mutaciones en los genes IDH1 e IDH2 de la enzima isocitrato deshidrogenasa (IDH) son clave en la tumorogénesis, y son consideradas un factor pronóstico importante en estas neoplasias. En este estudio se buscó determinar la presencia de mutaciones de los genes IDH1 e IDH2 en pacientes con diagnóstico de glioma difuso en diferentes grados, y su correlación con la sobrevida. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y retrospectivo. La población de estudio fueron pacientes entre los 18 y 45 años con diagnóstico de glioma difuso grado II, III y IV, atendidos en el Hospital San Vicente Fundación de Medellín, entre 2012 y 2017, en quienes se realizó un análisis de mutaciones en los genes IDH1 e IDH2 por secuenciación Sanger y tinción de inmunohistoquímica. Resultados. Se incluyeron 14 pacientes con edad promedio de 37 años, 57% de sexo masculino. Glioblastoma fue la neoplasia más frecuente, diagnosticada en el 42,9% de casos. Por inmunohistoquímica, 10 de los 14 (71,4%) pacientes presentaron mutación de la enzima IDH1, en tanto que 1 de los 11 (9%) pacientes en quienes se logró la secuenciación del gen IDH2, mostró mutación. En general, el 78,6% presentó mutaciones de la enzima IDH, con promedio de sobrevida de 48 meses. Conclusión. Estos hallazgos sugieren que los gliomas son un grupo heterogéneo de tumores, con gran variabilidad genética que impacta en su pronóstico y comportamiento

Introduction. Gliomas are the most common primary malignancies of the central nervous system, associated with high mortality and morbidity. Mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) enzyme IDH1 and IDH2 genes, are key in tumorigenesis, and are considered an important prognostic factor in these neoplasms. This study aimed to determine the presence of IDH1 and IDH2 gene mutations in patients diagnosed with diffuse glioma in different degrees, and their correlation with survival. Methodology. A descriptive, prospective and retrospective study was conducted. The study population consisted of patients between the ages of 18 and 45 with a diagnosis of grade II, III and IV diffuse glioma, treated at the Hospital San Vicente Fundación in Medellín, between 2012 and 2017, in whom an analysis of IDH1 and IDH2 gene mutations was performed by Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemical staining. Results. Fourteen patients with a mean age of 37 years were included, 57% were male. Glioblastoma was the most frequent neoplasm, diagnosed in 42.9% of the cases. By immunohistochemistry, 10 of the 14 (71.4%) patients had a mutation of the IDH1 enzyme, while 1 of the 11 (9%) patients in whom IDH2 gene sequencing was achieved showed a mutation. In general, 78.6% had IDH enzyme mutations, with an average survival of 48 months. Conclusion. These findings suggest that gliomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors, withgreat genetic variability that impacts their prognosis and behavior

Updating and identifying three novel variants of the CARD14 gene in Chinese Han patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis-2 (PSORS2) is caused by the heterozygous mutation of the caspase recruitment domain 14 (CARD14) gene on chromosome 17q25. To evaluate the contribution of CARD14 variants in psoriasis of the Chinese Han population, we performed deep sequencing of the CARD14 gene in 372 Chinese Han patients with psoriasis. The exonic nucleotide variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the affected individuals and 1114 controls. In 27 patients with psoriasis, we identified 15 variations, including three novel variants: c.381C[G (p.Cys127Trp), c.712A[G (p.Met238Val) and c.2260_2261delinsGG (p.Gln754Gly). These findings could enrich and update the Human Gene Mutation Database of CARD14 variants for psoriasis.

Diferenciación morfofisiológica y molecular por curvas de melting de alta resolución (HRMA) y secuenciación del complejo Trichophyton mentagrophytes en cepas humanas en Valparaíso, Chile Diferenciación morfofisiológica y molecular por HRMA / Morphological and molecular differentiation by high resolution melting curves (HRMA) and sequencing of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex in human strains in Valparaíso, Chile

Resumen Los miembros del complejo Trichophyton mentagrophytes representan el segundo grupo en frecuencia de aislamiento de dermatofitos, luego de Trichophyton rubrum. El citado complejo comprende 3grupos principales: 1) Trichophyton benhamiae y especies relacionadas; 2) Trichophyton simii y 2especies relacionadas, Trichophyton quinckeanum y Trichophyton schoenleinii, y 3) T. mentagrophytes, Trichophyton interdigitale y especies relacionadas. Todos estos organismos son difíciles de identificar a través de la morfofisiología. Se presenta en este informe un estudio descriptivo de 17 cepas clínicas aisladas e identificadas en el Laboratorio de Micología de la Universidad de Valparaíso como pertenecientes al complejo T. mentagrophytes, junto con la caracterización de 3cepas de referencia (T. mentagrophytes CBS 318.56, T. interdigitale CBS 428.63, Trichophyton erinacei CBS 511.73), con el objetivo de clasificarlas a nivel de especie. Se realizaron pruebas morfofisiológicas y moleculares por análisis de curvas de melting de alta resolución (high resolution melting analysis) y secuenciación de regiones ITS. Fenotípicamente, se identificaron 3especies incluidas en el complejo. Los análisis moleculares reclasificaron todas las cepas como pertenecientes a T. interdigitale. En conclusión, no se lograron establecer patrones morfofisiológicos confiables para poder diferenciar entre las especies del complejo.

Abstract Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex is the most frequent agent found in dermatophyte isolates after Trichophyton rubrum. It is divided into 3main groups: (1) Trichophyton benhamiae and related species; (2) Trichophyton simii and 2related species, Trichophyton quinckeanum and Trichophyton schoenleinii; and (3) T. mentagrophytes, T. interdigitale, and related species. They are all difficult to identify by morphophysiology. With the aim of classifying them at the species level, a descriptive study was performed on 17 isolated clinical strains identified in the Mycology Laboratory of the Universidad de Valparaíso as belonging to the T. mentagrophytes complex. They were compared with 3 reference strains (T. mentagrophytes CBS 318.56, T. interdigitale CBS 428.63, Trichophyton erinacei CBS 511.73). Morphophysiological and molecular tests were performed by high resolution melting analysis curves and ITS regions sequencing. Phenotypically, 3 species of the complex were identified. Molecular analyses reclassified all the species as belonging to T. interdigitale. In conclusion, no reliable morphophysiological patterns were established to differentiate between the species of the complex. Molecularly, all the strains studied were classified as T. interdigitale.

Molecular analysis of an individual with CisAB phenotype / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Objective@#To explore the molecular basis for an individual with ABO subtype.@*Methods@#The ABO phenotype of the proband was determined by convention serological testing. Exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene were subjected to PCR amplification and bi-directional Sanger sequencing. Haplotypes for exons 6 and 7 of the proband was determined using an ABO haplotype-specific amplification and sequencing technique.@*Results@#Red blood cells of the proband showed a 4+ agglutination strength with anti-A or anti-H, no agglutination reaction with anti-A1, and a 3+ agglutination strength with anti-B. His serum had no reaction with standard A cells, O cells or self cells, but was weakly reactive with B cells at 4℃. The proband was assigned as an ABO subtype based on his serological features. Bi-directional sequencing of the ABO gene revealed heterozygosity of 261 G/del, 297AG, 526CG, 657CT, 703GA, 803GC and 930GA, and homozygosity of 796CC in the proband. Haplotype-specific amplification and sequencing showed that one of his alleles was ABO*O.01.01, and another contained a c. 796A>C variation compared with the ABO*B.01 allele, which led to replacement of methionine by leucine at position 266. Searching the ABO allele database of International Society of Blood Transfusion suggested the variation to be a novel one.@*Conclusion@#The c. 796A>C variation in the ABO*B.01 allele probably underlies the CisAB subtype. Accurate identification of the ABO subtype requires combined use of serological method and genetic testing.

Application of circulating free DNA in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatocellular carcinoma has a low early diagnostic rate, and there is a lack of highly sensitive and specific tumor markers. In recent years, fluid biopsy technique, represented by circulating free DNA (cfDNA), has become an auxiliary method for the diagnosis of cancer and has attracted more and more attention due to its advantages of noninvasiveness, convenience, and repeatability. With reference to the recent studies in China and foreign countries, this article summarizes and analyzes the advances in cfDNA in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma from the aspects of biological characteristics, detection techniques, and clinical application, so as to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.