A clinical and genetic analysis of a child with supernumerary marker chromosome 15-caused mental retardation, intractable epilepsy, and central precocious puberty / 中国当代儿科杂志

Supernumerary marker chromosome 15 is a rare chromosome abnormality. This paper reports the clinical diagnosis and treatment, as well as genetic defects, of a child with supernumerary marker chromosome 15. The patient was a 9.5-year-old girl who had mental and motor retardation since infancy, breast development at the age of 7 years, and seizures at the age of 8.5 years. Seizures occurred with various features and could not be controlled by a variety of antiepileptic drugs. No abnormalities were found by brain magnetic resonance imaging. Electroencephalogram showed frequent epileptiform discharges. G-banding karyotype analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization, methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and array comparative genomic hybridization identified a de novo 15q duplication in the patient. The maternal copy number increased in the 15q11-13 region. The form of genome rearrangement was 47,XX,+inv dup(15)(pter to q13:q13 to pter). The increased copy number in the 15q11-13 region is closely related to mental retardation, intractable epilepsy, and central precocious puberty. High-resolution karyotype analysis is recommended for children with unexplained mental retardation and epilepsy.

Different Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2Bε Mutations Lead to Various Degrees of Intolerance to the Stress of Endoplasmic Reticulum in Oligodendrocytes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Vanishing white matter disease (VWM), a human autosomal recessive inherited leukoencephalopathy, is due to mutations in eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). eIF2B is responsible for the initiation of protein synthesis by its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity. Mutations of eIF2B impair GEF activity at different degree. Previous studies implied improperly activated unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) participated in the pathogenesis of VWM. Autophagy relieves endoplasmic reticulum load by eliminating the unfolded protein. It is still unknown the effects of genotypes on the pathogenesis. In this work, UPR and autophagy flux were analyzed with different mutational types.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ERS tolerance, reflected by apoptosis and cell viability, was detected in human oligodendrocyte cell line transfected with the wild type, or different mutations of p. Arg113His, p. Arg269FNx01 or p. Ser610-Asp613del in eIF2Bε. A representative UPR-PERK component of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) was measured under the basal condition and ERS induction. Autophagy was analyzed the flux in the presence of lysosomal inhibitors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The degree of ERS tolerance varied in different genotypes. The truncated or deletion mutant showed prominent apoptosis cell viability declination after ERS induction. The most seriously damaged GEF activity of p. Arg269FNx01 group underwent spontaneous apoptosis. The truncated or deletion mutant showed elevated ATF4 under basal as well as ERS condition. Decreased expression of LC3-I and LC3-II in the mutants reflected an impaired autophagy flux, which was more obvious in the truncated or deletion mutants after ERS induction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GEF activities in different genotypes could influence the cell ERS tolerance as well as compensatory pathways of UPR and autophagy. Oligodendrocytes with truncated or deletion mutants showed less tolerable to ERS.</p>

Clinical and ATP7A gene analysis of three infants with Menkes disease and prenatal diagnosis for a fetus at risk / 中国当代儿科杂志

Menkes disease is a rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by multi-systemic disorder of copper deficiency caused by ATP7A gene mutation. In this study, the clinical and laboratory features of three patients with Menkes disease were analyzed. Prenatal diagnosis had been performed for a fetus of a family. Three patients were admitted at the age of 8-9 months due to severe epilepsies and marked delayed psychomotor development. Significantly light complexion, pudgy cheeks and sparse fuzzy wooly hair were observed. On their cranial MR imaging, cortical atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, basal ganglia damage and tormesity of the intracranial vessels were found. Their plasma ceruloplasmin decreased to 70.2, 73.5 and 81 mg/L, significantly lower than normal range (210-530 mg/L). c.3914A>G (p. D1305G) was detected on ATP7A gene of case 1 and 2. A novel mutation, c.3265G>T (p.G1089X) was found in case 3. Both of them were firstly found in Chinese patients of Menkes disease. The mother of case 1 was tested at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Karyotype and ATP7A gene studies of the amniocytes were performed for the prenatal diagnosis of her fetus. Normal male karyotypes without c.3914A>G mutation on ATP7A gene was showed. Postnatal genetic analysis and normal development confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.

Episodic central nervous system symptoms with reversible white matter involvement in Chinese patients with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and literatures review / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the phenotype and genotype of CMTX1 patients with episodic transient reversible white matter involvement, and delineate the features of brain MRI in the episode and the possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Three Chinese probands and their family members were sequenced in the coding regions of GJB1. With the other 16 reported CMTX1 patients with episodic transient reversible white matter involvement, the clinical feature of the episodic central nervous system symptoms and the genotypes were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Missense mutations in GJB1 were identified in all 3 probands. In 19 patients with transient reversible white matter involvement, the episodes were manifested as weakness of the limbs, dysarthria, and dysphagia, without disturbance of consciousness or seizures. The episodes lasted for 13 hours (10 min-72 hours) with complete remission in all patients; There were multiple episodes in 9 patients. During the episode, brain MRI showed symmetrical high signals in T2 weighted, Flair and DWI images in periventricular white matter, with predominance in posterior region including splenium of corpus callosum. These changes in imaging were most prominent during or within 1 week after the clinical episode.Significant improvements occurred within 1 month, with complete remission within 4-6 months.No specific locations of mutant amino acids in GJB1 protein were found in these patients with episodic transient reversible white matter involvement.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Episodic transient reversible white matter involvement may present in a small number of patients with CMTX1. Transient edema of oligodendrocytes due to the dysfunction of gap junction may be involved in the pathogenesis. There is no correlation between the location of the mutant amino acids in GJB1 and the occurrence of the episodes.</p>

Clinical analysis of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy in a child and ALDH7A1 mutation / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To analyze clinical diagnosis and treatment,aldehyde dehydrogenase 7 family member A1 (ALDH7A1) gene mutations in 1 Chinese child with pyridoxine dependent epilepsy(PDE).Methods The clinical manifestations and course of treatment were observed in a PDE patient with early epilepsy onset.Video-electroencephalogram(VEEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed.The mutations of ALDH7A1 gene were examined.Results At the age of 2 months,recurrent epileptic seizures occurred and the child was resistant to antiepileptic drugs.Patient hospitalized several times due to frequent seizures and pyridoxine was used intravenously for several days.For each hospital stay,the frequent seizures were controlled completely under the treatment of pyridoxine and antiepileptic drugs.Seizures recurred at intervals of 13,14 and 38 days due to the treatment with antiepileptic drugs only without pyridoxine.Continuing oral pyridoxine without anticonvulsants led to seizure free for 5 months.No epileptiform discharges were found during several interictal VEEG monitoring and MRI showed normal.ALDH7A1 gene mutation analysis revealed two heterozygote mutations:c.410G ＞ A (p.G137E) in exon 5 that was transmitted from the father,and IVS11 + 1G ＞ A in intron 11 transmitted from the mother.Conclusions Early onset seizures have better response to pyridoxine and recurred after pyridoxine withdrawal in the patient,which suggested that he is a PDE patient.The interictal normal EEG could not rule out the possibility of PDE.This is the first report on ALDH7A1 mutations in PDE patient in China.Both the c.410G ＞ A(p.G137E) and IVS11 + 1G ＞ A mutations have not been reported previously.

Clinical and genetic study of twelve Chinese patients with Alexander disease / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To delineate the phenotype and genotype characteristics in 12 Chinese children with Alexander disease (AD), which is helpful for the molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical diagnosis of AD was based on MRI criteria proposed by van der Knaarp in 2001. Included AD patients were followed up for 0.50 - 3.67 years. Mutations in GFAP were detected by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 12 cases of AD were clinically diagnosed. Age of first visit was 4.87 years (0.75 - 12.00 years), with 3 types of chief complaints: developmental delay in 3, recurrent seizures in 7, unable to walk after falling in 2. Average head circumference was 52.34 cm (44 - 58 cm), which larger than age-matched average by 6.45% (1.80% - 13.95%). On the first visit, scaling according to Gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS) was performed, with GMFCSI in 8, II in 3, V in 1. Mild to severe cognitive dysfunction were found in 8, and seizures in 11 cases. The 12 patients were followed up for 0.50 - 3.67 years, their motor and cognitive function remained stable. Episodic aggravations provoked by fever or falling were observed in 5 cases (41.67%). Heterozygous missense mutations of GFAP were detected in 12 patients. All mutations were de novo; 3 out of 10 mutations identified were novel. R79 and R239 were hot mutations, which was consistent with previous reports. Mutations were located in exon 1 in 8 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The phenotype in these patients is characterized by slower progression compared with reports from other population and high incidence of seizures. And episodic aggravations provoked by fever or falling were more common. The genotype characteristics are consistent with previous reports. The results of this research expanded the number of patients with Alexander disease found to have GFAP coding mutations in China.</p>

Analysis of HEPACAM mutations in a Chinese family with megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore HEPACAM mutations in a Chinese family with megalencephalic leukoencephaloptathy with subcortical cysts (MLC).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood of the proband and her parents. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of HEPACAM and MLC1 were amplified in the MLC family by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Two heterozygous mutations of HEPACAM located in exon 2, c.203A > T(p.K68M) and c.395C > A(p.T132N), were identified in the proband. The proband's mother had the heterozygous mutations c.203A > T(p.K68M), and her father had the heterozygous mutation-c.395C > A(p.T132N). There was no variation found in MLC1 gene.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proband was heterozygous compound MLC patient carrying on one allele with the c.203A > T(p.K68M) mutation inherited from her mother, and the other allele with the c.395C > A(p.T132N) mutation inherited from her father. The parents both are heterozygous carriers with normal phenotype. The disease-causing gene for this family was resulted in HEPACAM mutation other than MLC1 mutation.</p>

Clinical and genetic analysis of a family with leukoencephalopathy with brain stem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Leukoencephalopathy with brain stem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation (LBSL) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. Affected individuals are invariably compound heterozygous for two mutations in DARS2. No reports of LBSL patients have been published in the mainland of China. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical and genetic features of a family with LBSL, which may contribute to definite diagnosis, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of this rare disease in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of the proband and other family members as well as DNA samples were collected. Clinical features including symptoms, signs and cranial MRI were analyzed. All 17 exons and exon-intron boundaries of DARS2 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and directly sequenced for genomic DNA. The mutation was proved by DNA restriction enzyme digestion of PCR-amplified fragments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The clinical features of patient with LBSL included slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and spasticity, the neurologic dysfunction involving the legs more than the arms, and with characteristic abnormalities observed on brain and spinal cord MRI. (2) Two mutations were identified, one was a novel missense mutation [c.665 G > A(p.Gly222Asp)] in DARS2 gene exon 8, the other (c.228-16 C > G) was in DARS2 gene intron 3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first report on LBSL patient and DARS2 mutation in China. p.Gly222Asp mutation is a novel mutation not reported around the world yet.</p>

Diagnosis and fine localization of deletion region in Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) results from the partial deletion of 4p. This study aimed to identify and fine map the chromosome deletion regions of Chinese children with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome among the developmental delay/mental retardation (DD/MR) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed the relationship of phenotype and genotype. Inclusion criteria were: moderate to severe DD/MR, no definite perinatal brain injury, and no trauma, toxication, hypoxia, infection of central nervous system; routine karyotyping was normal, no evidence of typical inherited metabolic disorder or specific neurodegenerative disorders from cranial neuro-imaging and blood/urinary metabolic diseases screening; no mutation of FMR1 in male patients, no typical clinical manifestation of Rett syndrome in female patients. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Affymetrix genome-wide human SNP array 6.0 assays were applied to accurately define the exact size of subtelomeric aberration region of four WHS patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All four WHS patients presented with severe DD, hypotonia and microcephaly, failure to thrive, 3/4 patients with typical facial features and seizures, 2/4 patients with congenital heart defects and cleft lip/palate, 1/4 patients with other malformations. The length of the deletions ranged from 3.3 Mb to 9.8 Mb. Two of four patients had "classic" WHS, 1/4 patients had "mild"-to-"classic" WHS, and 1/4 patients had "mild" WHS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>WHS patients in China appear to be consistent with those previously reported. The prevalence of signs and symptoms, distribution of cases between "mild" and "classic" WHS, and the correlation between length of deletion and severity of disease of these patients were all similar to those of the patients from other populations.</p>

Proteolipid protein 1 gene mutation in nine patients with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder with symptoms including nystagmus, impaired motor development, ataxia, and progressive spasticity. The proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene is the only pathogenic gene of PMD. Duplication of the PLP1 gene is the most frequent gene defect, accounting for 50%-70% of PMD cases, whereas point mutations in the coding sequence or the splice sites account for 10%-25% of PMD cases. This study aimed to identify PLP1 mutations in nine unrelated Chinese patients (P1-9) with PMD, and 14 subjects from the family of patient 2 were also described.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Gene dosage was determined using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). All 7 exons and exon-intron boundaries of the PLP1 gene were amplified and analyzed using direct DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of these nine patients, there were four transitional, four classical, and one connatal PMD according to their clinical and radiological presentations. PLP1 duplications were identified in patients 1-7 with PMD. Their mothers were PLP1 duplications carriers as well. Both duplication carriers and normal genotypes of PLP1 were identified in the family members of patient 2. A c.517C > T (p. P173S) hemizygous missense mutation in exon 4 was found in patient 8 with PMD, and his mother was shown to be a heterozygote of this mutation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We identified seven genomic duplications and one missense mutation (p. P173S) of the PLP1 gene in eight Chinese patients with PMD. This is the report about PLP1 mutations in PMD patients from the mainland of China.</p>

Long-term effects of neonatal seizures on subsequent activity-dependent NR1 and GABAA receptor α1 expressions in hippocampus of the rat / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the pathophysiological mechanism of reduced seizure threshold following neonatal seizures by measuring the expression changes in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)receptor 1(NR1)and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A α1(GABAARα1)immunoreactivity which are the basic functional subunit in NMDA receptor or GABAA receptor family. Methods Seizures were induced by the inhalant flurothyl in 24 neonatal rats,starting from postnatal day 6.The 24 rats were subdivided into single seizure group (seizure lasted 30 min) and recurrent seizure group (seizures were induced for 30 min/d, totally 6 d). At day 7 and day 75 after the last seizure, brain homogenates were made. The expressions of NR1 and GABAARα1 proteins in hippocampus were examined by Westem blotting analysis. Results NR1 expression did not change significantly in single seizure group and recurrent seizure group at day 75, but was enhanced significantly in recurrent seizure group at day 7(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,polypeptide levels of GABAARα1 receptor subullit in the rat hippocanlpus decreased significantly in single seizure-treated rats at day 75 and recurrent seizure-treated rats at day 7 and 75 (P＜0.05). Conclusions Recurrent or single prolonged status epilepticus in neonatal rats might cause long-term modification on NR1 and GABAARα1 expressions in hippocampus at post-seizure 7 d or in adult, with excessive activation of excitatory neuronal circuits involving both reduction of GABAARα1 receptor and/or enhancement of NR1. This phenomenon might play a key role in long-term reduction of seizure threshold induced by early life status seizures.

Clinical and genetic analysis of a family with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked recessive leukoencephalopathy. Few reports of PMD patients without genetic confirmation have been published in the mainland of China. The clinical and genetic features of a family with PMD were analyzed, which may contribute to definite diagnosis, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of this rare hereditary disease in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of the proband and other family members as well as 14 DNA samples were collected. Clinical features including symptoms, signs and cranial MRI were analyzed. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assays were performed to detect PLP1 duplication, which helps identify the type of PLP1 mutation in this family and the genotype-phenotype correlations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The proband and the other 3 male patients in the family presented with nystagmus, motor retardation followed by regression. The cranial MRI of proband showed evidence of poor myelination with diffused high signal in white matter region on T2-weighed image and reduced amount of white matter in volume, which is consistent with the typical features of cranial MRI in PMD. (2) PLP1duplication was identified in the proband. Combined with the clinical features of the proband and other patients in this family, the diagnosis of classic form of PMD was confirmed. Another 3 females with normal phenotype in the family were proved to be carriers of PLP1duplication.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) The Classic form of PMD in this pedigree is resulted from the PLP1 duplication, which is consistent with the previously reported genotype-phenotype correlations; (2) The results serve as an evidence for reliable genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family. (3) MLPA, which is a newly developed method, is a rapid and reliable technique to detect the whole gene duplication of PLP1.</p>

Detection of subtelomeric rearrangements in patients with idiopathic mental retardation/developmental delay / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect subtelomeric rearrangement in patients with idiopathic mental retardation/developmental delays (MR/DD) and to provide new methods and evidence for the etiologic diagnosis of MR/DD in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>1.</p><p><b>INCLUSION CRITERIA</b>(1) Moderate to severe MR/DD; (2) no definite perinatal brain injury; (3) no toxication, hypoxia, infection of central nervous system and cranial trauma; (4) routine karyotyping is normal; (5) no evidence of typical inherited metabolic disorder or specific neurodegenerative disorders from cranial neuro-imaging and blood/urinary metabolic diseases screening; (6) no mutation of FMR1 gene in male patients plus one of the following criteria: (1) positive family history of MR; (2) positive family history of miscarriages and perinatal deaths; (3) abnormal growth; (4) facial and non-facial dysmorphism. 2. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were applied to detect subtelomeric rearrangements in patients and their parents.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four cases were identified from 39 selected cases with subtelomeric rearrangements (10%), including der (2) t (2; 4) (pter; pter), 11qter del, 8pter del, and 15p11.2 del. The first two abnormalities of chromosome subtelomeric regions have not been reported yet. All these cases had some small dysmorphologies, such as microcephaly, hypertelorism, low nasal bridge, and three of them had hypotonia. One case had recurrent seizure and abnormal behavior (laughter not associated with happiness), and another case with dysgenesis of corpus callosum and septum pellucidum. Family and perinatal histories were normal for all cases. All chromosome rearrangements were de novo which were not from the parents with normal phenotype. It indicated that all these abnormal rearrangements should be responsible for the mental retardation phenotype of these patients. The phenotype of case 4 was similar to Angelman syndrome, his deletion was actually a kind of interstitial rearrangements. It will be confirmed by DNA methylation test to determine whether the deleted allele was of maternal origin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The subtelomeric rearrangements were found in 10% patients with idiopathic MR. It indicated that subtelomeric rearrangements should be one of major reasons of MR/DD related to genetic factors. Two novel subtelomeric rearrangements were identified. These de novo rearrangements are probably disease related, because they are not inherited from their parents with normal phenotype. The detection should be carried out for all the patients with idiopathic MR/DD with unknown origin, because one cannot figure out the specific signs for subtelomeric rearrangements. Sequentially use of MLPA and FISH is a more efficient and economic method to detect the subtelomeric rearrangements.</p>

Clinical characteristics of cases with leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and review the characteristics of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical features including clinical manifestations, neurologic signs, cranial MRI and laboratory tests in 9 patients with the diagnosis of VWM were analyzed and the characteristics of the disease were reviewed.</p><p><b></b>RESULTS</p><p><b>CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS</b>8 cases had symptoms involving central nervous system, 1 case only showed abnormal cranial MRI findings. The onset of the disease occurred between 6 months to 3 years of age. Family history was positive in 5 cases. Almost all cases had normal psychomotor development before the onset of the disease. The initial symptom was usually movement disorder with predominant involvement of lower limbs. The onset or deterioration of the disease was followed by respiratory tract infection in 6 cases and minor head trauma preexisted in 3 cases. The course of the disease was progressive in 7 cases and there was episodic deterioration in 4 cases. Mental abilities were relatively better preserved. Head circumference was normal in 7 cases. Positive upper motor unit signs were found in 8 cases and ataxia in 4 cases. Bilateral optic nerve atrophy was found in 3 cases. Cranial MRI indicated diffuse and symmetrical involvement of deep white matter which showed long T(1) and T(2) signal. Subcortical white matter was also involved with predominance in frontal and parietal lobes. Flair image showed symmetrical high signal intensity in cerebral white matter with low signal intensity similar to that of CSF in partial area or low signal in most area of white matter with only meshwork of higher signal preserved. The results of all the laboratory tests including the enzyme and biochemical test specific for some well-known leukoencephalopathy were normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical features of VWM include: 1. Initial symptom is usually movement disorder; 2. Movement disorder is more prominent compared to mental retardation; 3. Cranial MRI shows symmetrical abnormal T(1) and T(2) signal in deep white matter with signs of vanishing white matter. Exclusion of other hereditary and acquired leukoencephalopathy is necessary for diagnosis. Final diagnosis should be made on the basis of genetic evidence.</p>

Analysis of ARSA mutations in a Chinese family with metachromatic leukodystrophy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify arylsulftase A gene (ARSA) mutations in a Chinese family with MLD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were two MLD patients in the investigated family. The proband, an 11-year-old girl, was well until the age of 5 years, when she began to experience difficult walking and mental regression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her brain showed widespread demyelination, nerve conduction velocity reduced, and ASA activity measured in white blood cells was zero. So, the child was diagnosed having MLD. The proband's young brother also got the same phenotype except clinical symptom being milder than hers. Their parents and elder sister all had normal phenotypes. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral bloods of the proband and all her family members. All 8 exons and exon-intron boundaries of ARSA gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and followed by direct DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two heterozygous mutations of ARSA, which were named as, G251A (R84Q) and G296T (G99V) were identified in the proband. The two mutations were located in exon 2. The same genotype was found in the proband's young brother, but these mutations were not detected in proband's elder sister. The proband's mother had the heterozygous mutations G296T (G99V), and her father had the heterozygous mutation G251A (R84Q).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These two MLD patients are with both compound heterozygous mutations, which mean one allele with the G296T (G99V) mutation was from their mother, and the other allele with the G251A (R84Q) mutation got from their father. The parents are both carrier with normal phenotype.</p>

The growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza seedling and root system following transplantation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between plant growth and accumulation of active ingredients in Salvia miltiorrhiza.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Transplants of S. miltiorrhiza were sampled at 20 day intervals. At each stage, the growth of seedling and root system was recorded and the contents of tanshinone II (A) and salvia acid were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>This study showed that the rapid growth stage of the root system lags behind that of the seedling system, but the growing period of root system lasts longer. The quantitative change of roots reveals a double "S" curve; two rapid growth stages emerge during 30 - 70 days and 140 - 200 days after the seedlings were transplanted. The content of salvia acid reaches the highest level during 140 - 180 days, whereas the content of tanshinone peaks during 100 - 120 days.</p>

Study on configuration fabric and germinative conditions of Salvia miltiorrhizy seeds / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide theoretic warrant and technical reference for Salvia miltiorrhizr standardization planting, by carrying out various systemic studies such as observation of seeds configuration fabric, idiosyncrasy of water absorption and groping germinating conditions.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>In the study of configuration fabric, seeds were observed and taken photos by scanning electronic microscope, and heft method was used for measuring changes of water absorption velocity and dehydration velocity. Seeds germination conditions were probed into under the national test regulations for crop seeds and related prescription from international standards.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>(1) There was a layer of slime about 10-20 microm thickness covering epicarp of Danshen seeds. The slime formed as diamond meshwork (reseau) and the weight of it was 8%-10% of total seeds weight. (2) The speed of water absorption of seeds was extremely rapid. The weight of seeds could increase above 10 times as original while the dehydration velocity was quite low. (3) The optimal temperature for the seeds germination is around 25 degrees C, and the germination rate of the new seeds gained yearly was above 75%, but the rate would decrease sharply as years went by. It was also found that the seeds germination power and exponent of vigor were quite high under the temperature transformation between 23 degrees C, 28 degrees C. Such treatments as pre-cool, PEG treatment and infusing with GA3 could increase the rate of seeds germination capacity obviously.</p>

Expressions of injury-related gene in cultured developing neurons following seizures / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.