The role of estrogen and its membrane receptor G protein-coupled estrogen pathway in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and imbalance of inflammatory response: The latest research progress / 中华老年医学杂志

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER), as a newly discovered estrogen membrane protein-coupled receptor, has attracted much attention in endocrine metabolism research in recent years.Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and imbalance of inflammatory response mediated by GPER is one of the pathogenesis mechanisms of various endocrine and metabolic diseases.GPER is expected to become a new drug target for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes.This article briefly reviews the progress of GPER-mediated estrogen signaling pathway in terms of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and inflammation.

A constructing study on professional competency standards of school health education teachers / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To construct a model of professional competency standard for school health education teachers in China, then to provide a framework for the professional development of health education teachers at primary and secondary schools.@*Methods@#Seventy-five indicators of professional competency of school health education teacher were identified through job task analysis, qualitative interview, expert consultation. A total of 282 school health administrators/researchers, school principals, health education teachers in Shanghai, and the first undergraduate students of health education progame in China were surveyed. Items analysis verified appropriateness, and exploratory factor analysis determined construct validity of the competency standards.@*Results@#The framework of competency standards consists of four major areas (general literacy, school health services, school health education, school health management), nine categories, and 70 competence standards. Nine categories include professional ethics, general literacy as teacher, assist to deal with emergency/accident health events and common diseases situation in school, assist vaccination and mental health assessment, monitoring/communication the health situation of students, knowledge of health education and teaching skills, implement health education activities effectively and continuously, deal with infectious diseases and environment/ water/food safety in school, monitor conditions of the school health and optimize health strategy continuously. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of total competence standards was 0.98, and those of the sub-dimensions ranged from 0.86 to 0.96 ; the split-half reliability of total system was 0.93 with sub-dimensions coefficient ranging from 0.83 to 0.95.@*Conclusion@#The model of competency standard developed in this study show good validity and reliability, which can provide theoretical framework for the training, using and evaluation of school health education teachers with the characteristics of combinating medicine and teaching.

Prenatal diagnosis for two fetuses carrying partial deletion of Y chromosome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To perform prenatal diagosis for two fetuses carrying partial deletion of Y chromosome.@*METHODS@#Routine G- and C-banding were carried out to analyze the chromosomal karyotypes of the fetuses and their fathers. Fetal DNA was also subjected to low-coverage massively parallel copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), SRY gene and AZF factor testing.@*RESULTS@#Both fetuses showed a 46, XN, del(Y) (q11.2) karyotype at 320-400 band level by the analysis of amniotic fluid chromosomes. FISH with Y chromosome centromere probe indicated that in both cases the number of Y chromosome was normal. Both fathers had an apparently normal karyotype at 320-400 band level. For fetus 1, CNV-seq test revealed a 12.88 Mb deletion at Yq11.221-q12, which encompassed the whole of AZFb+AZFc regions and may lead to male infertility, sperm deficiency and/or severe oligospermia. In fetus 2, CNV-seq also detected a 14.84 Mb deletion at Yq11.21-q12, which encompassed the whole of the AZF region and may lead to severe spermatogenesis disorder resulting in severe oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia. In both cases, testing of SRY gene was positive. No point mutation of the SRY gene was identified. Analysis of amniotic fluid DNA confirmed partial or total absence of AZF in the two fetuses, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Combined use of various technologies can enable accurate detection of structural abnormalities of the Y chromosome and facilitate genetic counseling. CNV-seq can help with rapid screening of Y chromosome microdeletions and may be used as a complementary test for chromosomal karyotyping.

Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with harlequin ichthyosis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Objective@#To carry out variant analysis for a fetus suspected with harlequin ichthyosis (HI).@*Methods@#Whole exome sequencing (WES) was employed to detect potential variant in the fetus. Suspected variant was validated by Sanger sequencing.@*Results@#A homozygous missense variant c. 6858delT (p.F2286fs) was detected in the fetus, for which both parents were heterozygous carriers. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of HI.@*Conclusion@#The c. 6858delT variant of the ABCA12 gene probably underlies the disease in the fetus.

Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with harlequin ichthyosis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To carry out variant analysis for a fetus suspected with harlequin ichthyosis (HI).@*METHODS@#Whole exome sequencing (WES) was employed to detect potential variant in the fetus. Suspected variant was validated by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#A homozygous missense variant c.6858delT (p.F2286fs) was detected in the fetus, for which both parents were heterozygous carriers. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of HI.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.6858delT variant of the ABCA12 gene probably underlies the disease in the fetus.

Genetic diagnosis and noninvasive prenatal testing of a family with Williams-Beuren syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis of a fetus with ventricular septal defect (VSD) by using modified noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the detection of microdeletion syndromes.@*METHODS@#Chromosomal karyotypes of the fetus and its parents were analyzed by G-banding technique. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect genomic copy number variations (CNVs) in cell-free fetal DNA. The results were verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).@*RESULTS@#The fetus and its parents all had a normal karyotype at 320-400 band level. NGS revealed a deletion of 1.30 Mb at 7q11.23 in the fetus, with a 93% overlap with that of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). The father also had a deletion of 1.42 Mb at 7q11.23, with a 99% overlap with that of WBS. Modified NIPT also detected the 1.30 Mb deletion at 7q11.23 in the fetus. The result of FISH has confirmed the above results.@*CONCLUSION@#It is necessary to carry out genetic testing on fetuses with VSD. NGS can detect fetal microdeletion syndromes and help to trace their parental origin. The modified NIPT for fetal chromosomal microdeletions/microduplication syndromes is highly accurate.

Genetic diagnosis and non-invasive prenatal testing of a fetus with Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a fetus featuring growth restriction and validate the effectiveness of a novel noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technique for the detection of chromosomal microdeletions.@*METHODS@#Next-generation sequencing(NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) were used to analyze the DNA of the fetus. Conventional G-banding was used to analyze the karyotypes of the fetus and its parents. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze free fetal DNA.@*RESULTS@#NGS analysis has revealed a 4.88 Mb deletion at 15q11.2-q13.1 region in the fetus, which has a 99% overlap with the critical region of Prader-Willi syndrome (Type 2) and Angelman syndrome (Type 2) and encompassed critical genes including SNRPN and UBE3A. NIPT also revealed a 4.6 Mb deletion at 15q12, which was consistent with the results of fetal cord blood and amniotic DNA testing. FISH assay has confirmed the result of NGS. By karyotying, all subjects showed a normal karyotypes at a level of 320~400 bands.@*CONCLUSION@#It is quite necessary to carry out genetic testing on fetuses showing growth restriction. NIPT for fetal chromosomal microdeletions/microduplication syndromes is highly accurate for the diagnosis of Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome.

Genetic diagnosis and follow up of a fetus with Emanuel syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To carry out genetic analysis for a fetus with Dandy-Walker malformation and provide prenatal diagnosis for its parents during the subsequent pregnancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Routine G-banding was carried out to analyze the karyotype of the fetus and its parents, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to verify the result.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The father showed a normal karyotype, while the mother was found to carry a balanced t(11; 22) (q23; q11) translocation. NGS and FISH analysis verified that the supernumerary marker chromosome carried by the fetus was der(22) t(11; 22) (q23;q11). The fetus was diagnosed with Emanuel syndrome. During the next pregnancy, the fetus was found to carry the same balanced translocation as its mother. After genetic counseling, the couple decided to continue with the pregnancy, and eventually delivered a healthy baby.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A fetal case of Emanuel syndrome has been identified. The derivative der(22) t(11; 22)(q23; q11) chromosome probably underlies the Dandy-Walker malformation in the fetus. Combined cytogenetic and molecular analyses can attain a more precise diagnosis for fetal abnormalities detected by ultrasonography.</p>

Influence of matrix effect upon cyclosporine A test by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique methods / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the matrix effect on cyclosporine A (CsA) test by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), explain the discrepancy of external quality control results between these two methods and find the corrective action.Methods One hundred whole blood samples with various concentrations were adopted and CsA levels were detected by FPIA and EMIT.The results were compared with each other.Moreover, the influence of residual metal ions upon immunoreactions was assessed by adding Cu2+ and Zn2+.The effect of non-whole blood matrix on extraction efficiency for quality control materials and CsA calibrator was evaluated by adding identical volume of Hb-rich reagents followed with re-extraction.Results There is good correlation between results measured with FPIA(X) and EMIT(Y) methods ( Y=0.926 8X -8.115,R2 =0.996 9).Neither FPIA nor EMIT was affected by residual metal ions ( P ＞ 0.05 ). Non-whole blood matrix decreased the extraction efficiency of two methods, but it could be corrected by supplementation of the Hb-rich reagents (≥30 g/L).Conclusions Non-whole blood matrix may be the main reason for the inconsistent results measured by FPIA and EMIT methods.It could be corrected by using Hb-rich reagents.In addition,we should consider the influence of low lib on CsA test,espocially for organ transplant patients with lower Hb ( ＜30 g/L).