Targeted exome sequencing strategy (NeoEXOME) for Chinese newborns using a pilot study with 3423 neonates.

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening (NBS) aims to detect congenital anomalies, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) has shown promise in this aspect. However, the NBS strategy for monogenic inherited diseases in China remains insufficient. METHODS: We developed a NeoEXOME panel comprising 601 genes that are relevant to the Chinese population found through extensive research on available databases. An interpretation system to grade the results into positive (high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk genotypes), negative, and carrier according to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines was also developed. We validated the panel to evaluate its efficacy by using data from the "1000 Genomes Project" and conducted a pilot multicenter study involving 3423 neonates. RESULTS: The NGS positive rate in the 1000 Genomes Project was 7.6% (23/301), whereas the rate was 12.0% in the multicenter study, including 3249 recruited neonates. Notably, in 200 neonates, positive per conventional NBS, 58.5% (69/118) showed results consistent with NGS. In the remaining 3049 neonates showing negative results in conventional NBS, 271 (8.9%) were positive per NGS, and nine of them were clinically diagnosed with diseases in the follow-up. CONCLUSION: We successfully designed a NeoEXOME panel for targeted sequencing of monogenic inherited diseases in NBS. The panel demonstrated high performance in the Chinese population, particularly for the early detection of diseases with no biochemical markers.

[Prenatal genetic diagnosis for fetuses with anomalies revealed by fetal echocardiography].

OBJECTIVE: To carry out amniocyte karyotyping analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for women with anomalies revealed by fetal echocardiography. METHODS: From January 2019 to December 2021, genetic testing was carried out for 205 fetuses including 97 with soft marker anomalies and 108 with structural heart abnormalities. Among these, 138 only had abnormal fetal echocardiography, whilst 38 and 29 were complicated with extracardiac soft marker anomalies and extracardiac structural malformation, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected in the detection rate of genetic anomalies between fetuses with heart-related soft markers and those with abnormal heart structures (P > 0.05). Compared with those with abnormal fetal echocardiography alone, the detection rates of chromosomal aneuploidies in those with abnormal extracardiac soft markers or abnormal extracardiac structures were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight chromosomal aneuploidies (including a rare mosaicism), 2 balanced translocations and 1 supernumerary marker chromosome were detected by karyotyping analysis. Twenty-seven aneuploidies, 19 copy number variations (CNVs) and 1 uniparental disomy were detected by CMA. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis has attached great importance to the suggestive role of fetal heart-related soft markers, and chromosomal aneuploidies are more common among fetuses with abnormal extracardiac soft markers and extracardiac structural abnormalities. Chromosomal Karyotyping is useful for the detection of balanced translocations and mosaicisms. CMA is helpful for the detection of CNVs. Identification of the genetic causes can facilitate genetic counseling for the affected couples.

Croargoids A-G, Eudesmane Sesquiterpenes from the Bark of Croton argyratus.

Seven new sesquiterpenes, named croargoid A-G (1-7), were isolated from the bark of Croton argyratus. Compounds 1-4 were the first examples of eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones containing C5-OH group. Compound 7 was a highly degraded eudesmane sesquiterpene possessing a rare eleven-carbon skeleton. Their structures with stereochemistry were mainly elucidated by NMR analyses in combination with MS and ECD data. Cytotoxicities and NO inhibitions of all isolates were evaluated and only compound 5 showed moderate NO inhibitory activity.

Aspidopterys obcordata vine inulin fructan affects urolithiasis by modifying calcium oxalate crystallization.

Aspidopterys obcordata vine is a Chinese Dai ethnic herb used to treat urolithiasis. However, the material basis and underlying mechanisms remain undefined. In this study, a 2.3 kD inulin-like A. obcordata fructan (AOFOS) was isolated by size exclusion column chromatography and characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-IT-TOF-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HGPC). In addition, AOFOS showed unique anti-urolithiasis activity in Drosophila kidney stone models. Mechanism study indicated that AOFOS reduced the size of calcium oxalate crystals by inhibiting the formation of large size crystals and the generation rate of calcium oxalate crystals as well as the crystal form conversion from calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) to calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD).

Structurally diverse limonoids and bio-active evaluation from Trichilia connaroides.

Four new limonoids, named as trichiconlide G (1), 2-hydroxyltrijugin F (2), 23-oxo-21-hydroxyltrijugin F (3), 21-oxo-23-hydroxyltrijugin F (4), along with sixteen known analogues (5-20) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia connaroides. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, and TD-DFT-ECD calculations. Trichiconlide G (1) is one rare naturally occurring 1,2-seco phragmalin-type limonoid bearing a C-7/28 δ-lactone ring. Additionally, 2-hydroxyltrijugin F (2), 23-oxo-21-hydroxyltrijugin F (3), and 21-oxo-23-hydroxyltrijugin F (4) are three naturally occurring limonoids with a rare C-16/8 δ-lactone ring. All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. None of compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines A-549, HepG2, 5-8F, Siha, and SCC-4 at the concentration of 40 µM. Compounds 16 and 17 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 28.45 ± 2.51 and 22.66 ± 2.01 µM, respectively.

Structurally diverse steroids with nitric oxide inhibitory activities from Aglaia lawii leaves.

Eleven previously uncharacterized steroids, along with three analogs were isolated from Aglaia lawii leaves. Their structures were definitely characterized by the methods of NMR, MS, IR, ECD and X-ray crystallography study. Among these unreported compounds, 3-epi-dyscusin C, 3-epi-lansisterone E and (Z)-2α-hydroxyaglawone were C-21 pregnane steroids incorporating a highly oxygenated ring A, while others were Δ5-3ß-hydroxy-7-ketosteroids bearing different ring D and C-17 aliphatic chains. All isolates were evaluated for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities. 3-Epi-dyscusin C, 3-epi-lansisterone E, (Z)-2α-hydroxyaglawone and 17(20)E-dyscusin B showed significant anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 values of NO inhibition less than 10 µM (in the range from 4.47 ± 0.36 to 7.67 ± 0.46 µM).

Four new steroids from the leaves and twigs of Dysoxylum pallens and their cytotoxic activities.

Four previously undescribed steroids, identified as (3S,7S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,16S,17R,20S)-7α-methoxy-ergosta-5,24(28)-dien-3ß,16ß,20-triol (1), ergosta-5,24(28)-dien-3ß,7α,16ß-triol (2), ergosta-5,25-dien-3ß,7α,16ß,20-tetrol (3) and 7α,16ß,24α-trihydroxy-varninasterol (4), as well as five known analogues (5-9), were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Dysoxylum pallens Hiern (Meliaceae). Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis such as HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and IR. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Selected compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. Compounds 1, 2, and 8 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against HL-60, Hela, and HepG2 tumor cell lines with IC50 ranged from 11.09 to 17.51 µM.

Mexicanolide-type limonoids from the twigs and leaves of Cipadessa baccifera.

Twelve previously undescribed mexicanolide-type limonoids, including two pairs of isomers, together with seven known analogues were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Cipadessa baccifera. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Structural variations mainly occurred at the attachment of C-3 and the carbon residues linked to C-17. 21-deoxo-23-oxofebrifugin A and 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyryl-21-deoxo-23-oxofebrifugin A are two rare naturally occurring mexicanolide-type limonoids bearing an α,ß-unsaturated-γ-lactone motif at C-17. Moreover, cipaferen R is the first degraded tetranortriterpenoid derivative featuring an unique acetyl group at C-17. Some isolated compounds were evaluated for nematicidal, antifungal, cytotoxic (against five human cancer cell lines), and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. No nematicidal and antifungal activities were observed, yet 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyrylfebrifugin A, febrifugin A, febrifugin, and khaysin T exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against the tested cells with IC50 values ranging from 18.56 ± 0.27 to 38.00 ± 0.85 µM, and 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyrylfebrifugin A, granatumin E, khaysin T, and 2'S-cipadesin A showed moderate inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at 50 µM.

Aspidoptoids A-D: Four New Diterpenoids from Aspidopterys obcordata Vine.

Four new diterpenoids, named aspidoptoids A-D (1-4), together with two known analogues (5-6) were isolated from Aspidopterys obcordata vine. Aspidoptoids A-B (1-2) are the first examples of phenylethylene-bearing 20-nor-diterpenoids of which aspidoptoid B (2) possesses a rare 3,10-oxybridge. Their structures and absolute configuration were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. In addition, all the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities and inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production.

Karyotyping and prenatal diagnosis of 47,XX,+ 8[67]/46,XX [13] Mosaicism: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 8 mosaicism has a wide phenotypic variability, ranging from mild dysmorphic features to severe malformations. This report concluded a female pregnant woman with trisomy 8 mosaicism, and carefully cytogenetic diagnoses were performed to give her prenatal diagnostic information. This report also provides more knowledge about trisomy 8 mosaicism and the prenatal diagnostic for clinicians. CASE PRESENTATION: In this present study, we reported one case of pregnancy woman with trisomy 8 mosaicism. Noninvasive prenatal testing prompted an abnormal Z-score, but further three dimension color ultrasound result suggested a single live fetus with no abnormality. The phenotypic of the pregnant woman was normal. Based on our results, there were no abnormal initial myeloid cells (< 10- 4), which suggested that the patient had no blood diseases. The peripheral blood karyotype of the patient was 47,XX,+ 8[67]/46,XX [13], and karyotype of amniotic fluid was 46, XX. The next generation sequencing (NGS) result suggested that the proportions of trisomy 8 in different tissues were obviously different; and 0% in amniotic fluid. Last, the chromosomes of the patient and her baby were confirmed using chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and the results were arr[GRCh37](8) × 3,11p15.5p13(230750-33,455,733) × 2 hmz and normal. CONCLUSIONS: This pregnancy woman was trisomy 8 mosaicism, but the phenotypic was normal, and also the fetus was normal. Carefully cytogenetic diagnoses should be performed for prenatal diagnose.

Mosaic male fetus of Turner syndrome with partial chromosome Y: A case report.

Turner syndrome, characterized by the presence of a monosomy X cell line, is a common chromosomal disorder. Patients with Turner syndrome are usually phenotypically female, and male cases are rarely reported. Here, we report a fetus with a mosaic karyotype: mos 45,X/46,X,del(Y)(q11.21). The fetus was initially misdiagnosed as female with Turner syndrome by both noninvasive prenatal testing and cytogenetic analysis of amniotic fluid and was subsequently found to have male anatomy by antenatal ultrasonography at 24 weeks gestational age. Through single nucleotide polymorphism-array and fluorescence in situ hybridization testing, we found that there was a truncated Y chromosome with sex-determining region Y (SRY) present in some cells of the fetus, which caused the male features in the fetus.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-inoculation at different time points influences the outcome of C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine. We performed a series of co-infection experiments with BCG-Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi Landau, 1965 AS using C57BL/6 mice to analyse whether BCG can affect the development of protective immunity to infection with Plasmodium spp. and the mechanism of this protection. We divided mice into four groups: BCG-inoculation 4 weeks prior to P. c. chabaudi AS infection (B-4w-Pc); simultaneous BCG-inoculation and P. c. chabaudi AS infection (Pc+B); BCG-inoculation 3 days post P. c. chabaudi AS (Pc-3-B) infection; and mono-P. c. chabaudi AS infection as control (Pc). The parasitemia level in the B-4w-Pc group was noticeably higher than control group at 6-19 days post infection (dpi). Compared with the control group, the proportion of CD4(+)CD69(+) T cells was significantly reduced 5, 8 and 12 dpi, but the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs was significantly increased in the B-4w-Pc group on 5 and 8 dpi. The B-4w-Pc group also demonstrated reduced levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α on 5 and 8 dpi and significantly elevated level of IL-10 on 12 dpi. There were significantly fewer mDCs (CD11c(+)CD11b(+)) and pDCs (CD11c(+)B220(+)) in the B-4w-Pc group than the control group at all the time points post infection and the expression of MHC II was noticeably reduced on day 8 pi. Our findings confirmed that BCG inoculation prior to Plasmodium infection resulted in excessive activation and proliferation of Tregs and upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators, which inhibited establishment of a Th1-dominant immune response during the early stages of Plasmodium infection by inhibiting dendritive cells response. BCG inoculation prior to P. c. chabaudi AS infection may contribute to overgrowth of parasites as well as mortality in mice.

Serum miR-26a as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cholangiocarcinoma.

In order to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-26a in Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), we compared miR-26a levels in serum from 66 CCA patients and 66 healthy controls, which was followed by serum analysis between the pre-operative serum and post-operative serum of these CCA patients. We found the concentration levels of miR-26a in serum of CCA patients were significantly higher than that from healthy controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the concentration levels of miR-26a in the post-operative serum were significantly reduced when compared to the pre-operative serum (P < 0.001). High miR-26a in serum was correlated significantly with clinical stage, distant metastasis, differentiation status, and poor survival of CCA patients. More importantly, serum miR-26a was an independent prognostic marker for CCA. In conclusion, our results suggested that miR-26a in serum might be a potential and useful noninvasive biomarker for the early detection of CCA.

A very rare case of trisomy 4q32.3-4q35.2 and trisomy 21q11.2-21q22.11 in a patient with recombinant chromosomes 4 and 21.

We report the case of a patient with a clinical phenotype consistent with Down Syndrome (DS) who has a novel karyotypic abnormality. Karyotypic analyses were performed to investigate the cause of two spontaneous abortions. A balanced translocation between chromosomes 4 and 21 was identified, along with an additional abnormal chromosome 21. We performed high-resolution banding, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and FISH studies in both the patient and her mother to define the abnormality and determine its origin. CGH revealed a gain in copy number on the long arm of chromosome 4, spanning at least 24.4 Mb, and a gain in copy number on the long arm of chromosome 21, spanning at least 16.2 Mb. FISH analysis using a chromosome 21 centromere probe and chromosome 4 long arm telomere (4pter) probe confirmed the origin of the marker chromosome. It has been confirmed by the State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics of China that this is the first reported instance of the karyotype 47,XX,t(4;21)(q31.3;q11.2),+der(21)t(4;21)mat reported in the world.

Identification and Genetic Analysis of a Factor IX Gene Intron 3 Mutation in a Hemophilia B Pedigree in China.

OBJECTIVE: Hemophilia B is caused by coagulation defects in the factor IX gene located in Xq27.1 on the X chromosome. A wide range of mutations, showing extensive molecular heterogeneity, have been described in hemophilia B patients. Our study was aimed at genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia B in order to further elucidate the pathogenesis of the hemophilia B pedigree in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing of all the coding regions was conducted in hemophilia B patients and carriers. Prenatal diagnosis of the proband was conducted at 20 weeks. RESULTS: We identified the novel point mutation 10.389 A>G, located upstream of the intron 3 acceptor site in hemophilia B patients. The fetus of the proband's cousin was identified as a carrier. CONCLUSION: Our identification of a novel mutation in the F9 gene associated with hemophilia B provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of this genetically inherited disorder and also represents the basis of prenatal diagnosis.

SOX9 overexpression plays a potential role in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus.

The collagen, type IX, alpha 1 (COL9A1) gene was previously identified as a candidate gene for idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (ICTEV), a congenital lower limb deformity in humans. In the present study, increased expression levels of COL9A1 were identified in the abductor hallucis muscle of ICTEV patients compared with those in control samples. The COL9A1 gene is regulated by SRY (sex­determining region Y)­box 9 (SOX9). Immunofluorescence analysis of SOX9 and COL9A1 proteins identified colocalization to the sarcolemma, endomysium and muscle membrane in muscle samples of ICTEV. No mutations in the exons and promoters of SOX9 were detected in blood samples of 84 ICTEV patients by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. mRNA and protein expression levels of SOX9 were detected by real­time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively and were found to be significantly higher in ICTEV muscle samples compared with those in control samples. Based on present observations, we hypothesize that overexpression of the SOX9 gene may play a role in the genetic etiology of ICTEV.

[Mechanism of GLI3 gene transcription regulation in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of transcription regulation of GLI3 gene in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus. METHODS: pGL3-Gli3 luciferase report vectors were constructed, and the activity of Gli3 promoter was explored. A P-Match software was used to analyze the sequence upstream of the transcription start site of rat Gli3 gene, which was subsequently verified with chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (CHIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of the Gli3 gene was analyzed in L6 cells transfected with Hoxd13 small interference RNA(siRNA) and Hoxd13 expression vectors. RESULTS: The 5' region of rat Gli3 gene contains two potential binding sites for the Hoxd13 protein. CHIP and EMSA assays both confirmed that Hoxd13 can directly bind with site 2. As shown in L6 cells, expression of Gli3 may be enhanced with silencing of Hoxd13, whilst exogenous expression of Hoxd13 can down-regulate transcription of Gli3. CONCLUSION: Hoxd13 can directly regulate the expression of Gli3 gene through a Hoxd13 binding site in the limb of rat embryo.

[Possible role of GLI3 gene in the pathogenesis of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between GLI3 gene and pathogenesis of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (ICTEV). METHOD: Potential mutations in the coding region of GLI3 were detected among 84 patients with ICTEV by denaturing gradient electrophoresis. Expression of GLI3 in the ICTEV patients' disease tissues was assessed by reverse transcription PCR. Following generation of rat model for ICTEV, mRNA and protein levels of GLI3 were evaluated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: No mutation was found in exons 1 - 8 and 13 of GLI3 gene among the 84 ICTEV patients. No expression of GLI3 gene was detected in the flexor hallucis longus of ICTEV patients or normal controls. Expression of Gli3, in terms of both mRNA and protein, was stronger in the hindlimb of ICTEV rat embryos compared with normal controls. CONCLUSION: Mutation in the coding region of GLI3 may not be responsible for the occurrence of ICTEV. However, there may still be connection between abnormal expression of the gene and pathogenesis of ICTEV.

[The regulation of UTROPHIN expression by EN1].

To investigate possible factors up-regulating the expression of UTROPHIN, potential regulatory elements in the promoter of the human UTROPHIN was predicted by P-match software and verified by EMSA and ChIP. The mechanism of EN1 regulation of the human UTROPHIN expression was evaluated by RNA interference and real-time PCR analyses. Two potential EN1 binding sites in UTROPHIN promoter region were predicted by P-Match software but only the second site was verified to interact directly with EN1 by EMSA and ChIP. The results from RNA interference and real-time PCR showed that the mRNA level of UTROPHIN increased in HeLa cells after EN1 was knockdowned by siRNA. It indicated that EN1 might be a negative regulatory factor for UTROPHIN. Our study suggested that UTROPHIN might be a new target for DMD therapy.