Oxygen stress on age-stage, two-sex life tables and transcriptomic response of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella).

Elucidating the genetic basis of local adaption is one of the important tasks in evolutionary biology. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has the highest biodiversity for an extreme environment worldwide, and provides an ideal natural laboratory to study adaptive evolution. The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is one of the most devastating pests of the global Brassica industry. A highly heterozygous genome of this pest has facilitated its adaptation to a variety of complex environments, and so provides an ideal model to study fast adaptation. We conducted a pilot study combining RNA-seq with an age-stage, two-sex life table to study the effects of oxygen deprivation on DBM. The developmental periods of all instars were significantly shorter in the hypoxic environment. We compared the transcriptomes of DBM from Fuzhou, Fujian (low-altitude) and Lhasa, Tibet (high-altitude) under hypoxia treatment in a hypoxic chamber. Some DEGs are enriched in pathways associated with DNA replication, such as DNA repair, nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, mismatch repair and homologous recombination. The pathways with significant changes were associated with metabolism process and cell development. Thus, we assumed that insects could adapt to different environments by regulating their metabolism. Our findings indicated that although adaptive mechanisms to hypoxia in different DBM strains could be similar, DBM individuals from Tibet had superior tolerance to hypoxia compared with those of Fuzhou. Local adaptation of the Tibetan colony was assumed to be responsible for this difference. Our research suggests novel mechanisms of insect responses to hypoxia stress.

Cell-free DNA test for pathogenic copy number variations: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the detection rate (DR) by prenatal cell-free DNA test for pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs)＞2 Mb among pregnancies with fetal ultrasound abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 29 pregnant women with fetuses diagnosed as microdeletion/microduplication syndromes by prenatal chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). Cell-free DNA from the maternal plasma was sequenced on the NextSeq CN500 sequencer. The quality standard of unique map reads in a single sample was greater than 10 M and only gains and losses of more than 2 Mb were reported. RESULTS: A total of 24 CNVs were identified by cell-free DNA test among the 21 fetuses with pathogenic CNVs identified by prenatal CMA, including 20 consistent CNVs and 4 inconsistent CNVs. Overall, the DR of cell-free DNA test for pathogenic CNVs ＞2 Mb was 69%. Microdeletions or microduplications at 22q11.2 were the most common CNVs, with a DR of 4/5 (80%) and 3/4 (75%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Cell-free DNA test exhibited a moderate DR for pathogenic CNVs ＞2 Mb among fetuses with ultrasound abnormalities. Cell-free DNA test could provide an opportunity for early screening before the appearance of abnormalities on fetal ultrasound, while further clinical data and cost-effectiveness assessment are needed.

Prenatal features of 17q12 microdeletion and microduplication syndromes: A retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To present the experience on prenatal features of 17q12 microdeletion and microduplication syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were conducted between January 2015 and December 2018 at a single Chinese tertiary medical centre. Information of cases identified with 17q12 microdeletion or microduplication syndromes were retrospectively collected. Foetal ultrasonographic findings were reviewed, and other information about the gestation week at diagnosis, inheritance and pregnancy outcomes were also included. RESULTS: Ten pregnancies with 17q12 microdeletion and 4 with 17q12 microduplication were identified. The copy number variation (CNV) sizes were 1.39-1.94 Mb in the deleted cases and 1.42-1.48 Mb in the duplicated cases, respectively. All the duplicated and deleted regions included HNF1B and LHX1 genes. Most individuals with 17q12 deletion presented kidney anomalies (9/10), with renal hyperechogenicity being the most common finding (7/10). Fetuses with 17q12 duplication presented a wide phenotypic spectrum, including "double bubble" sign, structural anomalies of the heart and growth anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience further demonstrated the high correlation between 17q12 microdeletion and renal anomalies especially hyperechogenic kidneys. Structural anomalies of the heart were newly identified phenotypes of 17q12 duplication during prenatal period. Besides, growth anomalies and duodenal atresia might be associated with the duplication.

Analysis of the correlation between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome among coal mine workers: A clinical study.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the pathological state of metabolic disorders in the body's proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other substances. MetS is a systemic metabolic disease. Periodontal disease is also a part of systemic inflammatory diseases. Among Chinese patients with middle-aged and elderly MetS, the periodontal morbidity is very high, which is due to the involvement of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of MetS and periodontal disease. The latter may also be a risk factor for the former's morbidity and promotion of disease progression. At present, there are not many investigations and studies on periodontal examination data and periodontal disease prevalence of patients with MetS. Coal mine workers, especially coal mine underground workers, have different work natures and different working environments. See related report.We will collect the clinical diagnosis and treatment information of the enrolled patients. We will focus on checking the incidence of periodontal disease and recording. Establish a database, check every 10 medical records, and make corrections in time to ensure data accuracy. We will popularize oral hygiene knowledge for the included patients and guide them to brush their teeth correctly and how to use dental floss. We will perform periodontal examination on the patients' teeth by site and record the plaque index, gingival sulcus bleeding index, periodontal pocket exploration depth and other indicators. We will repeat the above inspection items and record in the second and fourth weeks of the experiment.This study will explore the correlation between periodontal disease and MetS of coal mine workers. We aim to clarify the role and mechanism of MetS in the occurrence and development of periodontal diseases, guide the prevention of periodontal diseases, and thus reduce the prevalence of periodontal diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000034177, Registered on 27 June 2020.

In vitro and in vivo approaches for identifying the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic hepatic disease associated with the excessive accumulation of lipids in the liver. Premenopausal women are protected from the liver metabolic complications of obesity compared with body mass index (BMI)-matched men. This protection may be related to estrogen's ability to limit liver fat accumulation. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a novel regulator of NAFLD, may be an important target for regulating estrogen homeostasis. In present study, we used benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a classic and potent ligand of AhR, to activate AhR pathway causes overexpression of the estrogen-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and affects the expression of important genes involved in hepatic lipid regulation. BaP induces CYP1A1 expression through AhR signaling and inhibits the protective effect of 17ß-estradiol (E2) on hepatic steatosis, characterized by triglyceride accumulation, and markers of liver damage are significantly elevated. The expression of adipogenic genes involved in the hepatic lipid metabolism of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) was increased compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is involved in fatty acid oxidation, were significantly reduced. Taken together, our results revealed that the steatotic effect of AhR is likely due to overexpression of the E2 metabolic enzyme CYP1A1, which affects the estrogen signaling pathway, leading to the suppression of fatty acid oxidation, inhibition of the hepatic export of triglycerides, and an increase in peripheral fat mobilization. The results from this study may help establish AhR as a novel therapeutic and preventive target for fatty liver disease.

The application of chromosomal microarray analysis to the prenatal diagnosis of isolated mild ventriculomegaly.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in the prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities in fetal isolated mild ventriculomegaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 101 fetuses with isolated mild ventriculomegaly who had undergone invasive prenatal diagnosis at our hospital. CMA was performed in all cases to detect chromosomal aneuploidy as well as copy number variations (CNVs) that are too small to be detected by conventional karyotyping. Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) or multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to confirm all fetal CNVs <400 Kb. RESULTS: Except for three cases of chromosomal aneuploidy, CMA revealed pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) in 3.0% (3/101) of the fetuses; these cases demonstrated involvement in the chromosomal regions 15q11.2, 1q21.1 and Xq27.3q28. Furthermore, we detected three likely pathogenic (3.0%) and two variants of uncertain significance (2.0%) among 101 fetuses diagnosed as isolated mild ventriculomegaly on ultrasound examination. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that CNVs could aid in the risk assessment and genetic counseling in fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly.

Improved photovoltaic properties of nominal composition CH3NH3Pb0.99Zn0.01I3 carbon-based perovskite solar cells.

Herein, the low-cost and eco-friendly zinc cation (Zn2+) is used to replace part of the lead cation (Pb2+) in methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3). The modified perovskite material, CH3NH3PbxZn1-xI3, is then obtained and successfully applied in the construction of hole-conductor-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on carbon counter electrodes. The obtained PSCs with 1 mol% Zn doping dramatically facilitate the formation of dense, high surface coverage perovskite films with large grain size and superior crystallinity. Especially, the power conversion efficiency is up to 15.37%, which is a 14.8% increase, compared to the pristine PSCs. This work finds a superior way to further research lead-reduced PSCs.

Metanephric adenofibroma in a 10-year-old boy: report of a case and review of the literature.

We reported a case of metanephric adenofibroma in a 10-year-old boy to describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features and discuss its treatment and differential diagnosis. Nephrectomy was performed for the patient; final histopathologic evaluation was that of a metanephric adenofibroma. Epithelial and stromal elements were both positive for WT-1, Vimentin, PAX2, and the epithelial tumor cells were also positive for S100, AE1/AE3, PAX8, CK8/18, EMA and a few cells were positive for CK7. Larger vessel wall components were positive for SMA, Des, caldesmon while capillary components were positive for CD10, CD31, and CD34. CA-9, α-inhibin and CD-56 were negative in the neoplasm. The Ki-67 labeling index was <1%. Metanephric adenofibroma is a rare benign renal tumor; the diagnosis of it relies on pathology and immunohistochemistry. As its rarity, there is no standard treatment for this disease. The majority of patients underwent nephrectomy and had good prognosis, as it is a benign neoplasm.

[Molecular genetics study of ED1 gene for two X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia families].

OBJECTIVE: To provide genetic diagnosis and counseling for patients from two families affected with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. METHODS: Potential mutation of the ED1 gene was screened by DNA sequencing. For family 1, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis and haplotyping of ED1 gene were also carried out for prenatal diagnosis. RESULTS: For the patient from family 1, deletion of the exon 1 of the ED1 gene and 2 short tandem repeat(STR) sites (DXS8269 and DXS1422) were detected. His daughter was carrier of the deletion. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the fetus was confirmed to be a normal male, for whom the haplotype of ED1 gene has differed from that of the proband. In family 2, a c.463C>T mutation in exon 3 of the ED1 gene was detected in the proband, whose mother was heterozygous for the same mutation. CONCLUSION: The deletion (exon 1) and missense (R155C) mutation in ED1 gene have probably underlied the disease in the two families. During prenatal diagnosis, it may be necessary to obtain precise results through combining mutation detection and haplotype analysis of the ED1 gene.

[Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis of families affected with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutations for probands from families affected with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), and to carry out prenatal diagnosis through identification of female carriers. METHODS: A total of 43 DMD/BMD families were recruited. Multiplex PCR was used to analyze 18 exons within hotspots for DMD gene deletions. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to detect potential deletions and duplications of DMD gene for 43 patients and 36 females from 32 families. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for 27 families. RESULTS: Deletional mutations were detected in 26 patients with multiplex PCR. In addition, MLPA has detected 3 deletions and 6 duplicational mutations, and the ranges of mutations were all determined. Among 36 female members, 18 were determined as carriers of deletional mutations, 10 were excluded as mutation carriers. The status of remaining 8 could not be determined. For prenatal diagnosis, 3 out of 18 male fetuses were diagnosed as patients and 1 female fetus was identified as carrier. CONCLUSION: MLPA is an accurate and reliable method for detecting deletional/duplicational mutations of DMD gene as well as for prenatal diagnosis and detection of female carriers.

Silencing of the integrin-linked kinase gene suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1).

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is an ankyrin repeat-containing serine-threonine protein kinase that is involved in the regulation of integrin-mediated processes such as cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In this study, we examined the effect of a lentivirus-mediated knockdown of ILK on the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (Panc-1) cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ILK expression was enhanced in pancreatic cancer tissue. The silencing of ILK in human Panc-1 cells led to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and delayed cell proliferation, in addition to down-regulating cell migration and invasion. The latter effects were mediated by up-regulating the expression of E-cadherin, a key protein in cell adhesion. These findings indicate that ILK may be a new diagnostic marker for pancreatic cancer and that silencing ILK could be a potentially useful therapeutic approach for treating pancreatic cancer.

[Molecular genetic study of MECP2 gene for a patient with typical Rett syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To provide genetic diagnosis and counseling for a 2-year-old girl with typical Rett syndrome through analyzing the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. METHODS: Potential mutation of the MECP2 gene was screened by DNA sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis of members of the family as well as normal controls. Lymphocyte culture for karyotype analysis was carried out for the patient to exclude chromosomal abnormalities. RESULTS: The karyotype of the girl was normal. No variation of the MECP2 gene was detected in the patient by direct sequencing. A heterozygosis variation, c.1072G>A in exon 4 of the MECP2 gene was detected in a normal female control, which was not found in other controls. The son and daughter of the female control were respectively heterozygous and homozygous carriers of the same mutation. By MLPA analysis, a heterozygosis deletion of exon 3 and part of exon 4 was detected in the patient. cDNA amplification and sequencing confirmed the presence of a 1176 bp deletion (c.27-1202del1176). The same deletion was not detected in the parents. CONCLUSION: A large deletion in MECP2 gene was detected with MLPA in a patient featuring typical Rett syndrome. The same deletion was missed by sequencing analysis. With cDNA sequencing, the breakage point of the mutation can be mapped precisely.

Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis of EXT1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with multiple osteochondromas.

BACKGROUND: Multiple osteochondromas (MO), an inherited autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by the presence of multiple exostoses on the long bones. MO is caused by mutations in the EXT1 or EXT2 genes which encode glycosyltransferases implicated in heparin sulfate biosynthesis. METHODS: In this study, efforts were made to identify the underlying disease-causing mutations in patients from two MO families in China. RESULTS: Two novel EXT1 gene mutations were identified and no mutation was found in EXT2 gene. The mutation c.497T > A in exon 1 of the EXT1 gene was cosegregated with the disease phenotype in family 1 and formed a stop codon at amino acid site 166. The fetus of the proband was diagnosed negative. In family 2, the mutation c.1430-1431delCC in exon 6 of the EXT1 gene would cause frameshift and introduce a premature stop codon after the reading frame being open for 42 amino acids. The fetus of this family inherited this mutation from the father. CONCLUSIONS: Mutation analysis of two MO families in this study demonstrates its further application in MO genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

[Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis of sporadic DMD/BMD families].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the pathogenic mutation of sporadic patients in Duchenne/ Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) families and to perform prenatal diagnosis, identify the female carriers and evaluate the ratio of de novo mutation in these pedigrees. METHODS: A total of 30 sporadic DMD/BMD families were included. Traditional multiplex PCR was used to detect the 18 exons in the deletion hot area of DMD gene. MLPA was used to detect the deletion or duplication mutations of DMD gene for 30 patients and 28 females from 23 families. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in 19 families. RESULTS: Deletion mutation was detected in 19 patients through mPCR. Twenty-one deletions and 3 duplication mutations were detected by MLPA. Among 21 mothers, 10 mothers were carriers of deletion mutation and two duplication mutation carriers. The other 9 mothers were non-carriers, the mutations in these families were de novo and the ratio was 37.5%. Among seven sisters, five were carriers and two non-carriers. In the prenatal diagnosis families, 2 of 8 female fetuses were carriers and 5 of 12 male fetus patients. CONCLUSION: The MLPA technique has proved to be an accurate and reliable tool not only for the deletion and duplication mutations of DMD patients, but also for the prenatal diagnosis and the female carriers in these families. Prenatal diagnosis;

[Diagnosis of 22q11 deletion and duplication in congenital heart disease by multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical utility of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detecting 22q11 deletion and duplication in congenital heart disease (CHD) cases and to study the incidence of 22q11 deletion and duplicaton in different kinds of CHD. METHODS: Forty eight probes of which 25 located in 22q11 low copy number region (LCR 22s A-H), 7 in 22q11 surrounding region (CES, 22q13) and 16 in chromosomes 4, 8, 10 and 17 were selected to detect 22q11 deletion and duplication in 181 preoperative children with CHD and 14 fetuses with serious CHD or CHD with multiple malformations. In these cases, karyotype analysis was also performed. RESULTS: MLPA demonstrated that 7 cases had 22q11 deletion [6 cases from CLTCL1 to LZTR1(LCR A-D) and 1 case from CLTCL1 to PCQAP (LCR A-C)] and that 1 case had 22q11 duplication,spanning from ZNF74 to LZTR1(LCR B-D). The phenotypes of heart defect included ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis and tetralogy of Fallot. Karyotype analysis showed that 1 case had 21q deletion [46, XY, 21q], 1 case had mosaic trisomy 8 [47,XY, +8/46, XY(1:2)] and 4 cases had trisomy 21. One of the 4 cases with trisomy 21 had concurrent 22q11 duplication. CONCLUSIONS: MLPA is a rapid, sensitive, site specific and relatively inexpensive method for diagnosis of 22q11 deletion and duplication in CHD. 22q11 deletion and duplication may cause various kinds of CHD, suggesting that genetic detection should be performed routinely in CHD patients.

[Application of multiplex quantitative fluorescent PCR with non-polymorphic loci in prenatal diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of application of multiplex quantitative fluorescent PCR with non-polymorphic loci in prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies. METHODS: From Mar 2006 to Nov 2007, a total of 63 samples were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College, Nanjing University, including 54 villous samples obtained for karyotyping because of spontaneous abortion, six amniotic fluid samples of second trimester and three umbilical cord blood samples of third trimester. Blood samples of 60 healthy adults were obtained at the same time as a control group, including 30 males and 30 females. Non-polymorphic QF-PCR was performed on both testing group and control group for the detection of aneuploidies. The Amelogenin gene (AMXY) was selected as an internal control, and dosage quotiety (DQ) of each locus was calculated according to the known formula. If DQ was between 0.7 and 1.3, the sample was considered as normal. If the figure turned out to be > 1.3 or < 0.7, a potential duplication or deletion of the corresponding gene or chromosome was indicated. If the results implied numerical abnormalities in more than one euchromosome, sex chromosome aneuploidies should be considered. Cell culture and karyotyping were carried out for every sample simultaneously. The results of non-polymorphic QF-PCR were checked with karyotypes. RESULTS: (1) In the control group, all female samples presented only an AMX peak for sex chromosome while all males showed AMX and AMY amplified peaks. The AMY/AMX ratios were between 0.7 - 1.3, and SD was between 0.05 - 0.12. (2) Among 19 QF-PCR abnormal cases, 13 cases were proved by karyotyping. Of the six cases which turned out to be conflicting, one case of trisomy 18 shown by karyotyping was not completely detected by QF-PCR, a locus on chromosome 18 implied trisomy, while another turned out to be normal (DQ = 1.28). Four cases were detected by non-polymorphic QF-PCR as trisomies but showed normal female karyotype because of maternal contamination during cell culture. A karyotypingly '46, XY' case did not present an AMY peak. Thirty-six out of 44 (82%) normal results implied by non-polymorphic QF-PCR were in accordance with cytogenetic analysis. Of the other eight cases, one case which failed cytogenetic analysis was detected by QF-PCR as normal. Four cases showed multiploidy by karyotyping but normal in QF-PCR analysis, including three cases of 69, XXX, one case of 92, XXXX and one case of 45, XX, rob (13;21). The other two cases that showed normal male results turned out to be normal female karyotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal aneuploidy detection by non-polymorphic QF-PCR is feasible in a clinical diagnostic setting. With the advantages of high throughput, rapidness and low cost, this method shows a good prospect in clinical application.

[Multiplex quantitative PCR detection for female carrier in an X-linked ichthyosis family].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the pathogenic mutation of an X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) family, and identify the genetic diagnosis of three probable female carriers in this family. To evaluate the availability of different detect methods for steroid sulfatase (STS) gene mutation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from the family, including the proband, proband's mother, younger sister, and younger female cousin, and 10 males and 10 females as controls. Ordinary PCR was used to detect whether there was STS gene deletion in the male proband. Then, multiplex quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR) was used to detect the STS gene in the proband and his 3 female family members. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to authenticate the results of multiplex QF-PCR method. RESULTS: No amplified product of the exons 1-10 of STS gene deletion was detected by ordinary PCR in the proband. The proband's mother was diagnosed as a carrier, but his sister and cousin were diagnosed as normal females by multiplex QF-PCR. FISH confirmed the results of multiplex QF-PCR. CONCLUSION: Both multiplex QF-PCR and FISH are effective to detect the complete deletion mutation of STS gene and identify the female carrier, and multiplex QF-PCR is more convenient and automatic compared with FISH.