Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective. To examine the association of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse birth outcomes. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study including 2389 pregnant women, the medical records of 352 women diagnosed with PCOS were evaluated. Outcomes included GDM, preterm birth, low birth weight, macrosomia, and being small and large for gestational age. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the risk for GDM and adverse birth outcomes with PCOS after adjusting for confounders. Results. Women previously diagnosed with PCOS had a higher risk of GDM (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.09). A strong association was seen between PCOS and preterm birth (adjusted OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.08-2.67). On stratified analysis, the adjusted OR for GDM among women with PCOS undergoing assisted reproductive technology was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.03-1.92) and among women with PCOS who conceived spontaneously was 1.60 (1.18-2.15). No increased risk for other adverse birth outcomes was observed. Conclusions. Women with PCOS were more likely to experience GDM and preterm birth.

[Optimizing of cDNA preparation for next generation sequencing].

Next generation sequencing has already been used for genomic analysis of microorganis, human being, animals, and plants. Sample preparation is prerequisite and most important for large-scale sequencing. There are two major interferences for large-scale sequencing, polyA and abundant genes' concealment for rare genes. In order to solve these problems, we used total RNA extracted from violaceae leaves to produce double stranded cDNA. DSN nuclease was used to treat the ds cDNA prior to removing the polyA. Randomly sequencing 100 clones of the treated cDNA showed that there were 94 independent clones in the treated sample, and the sequences did not contained polyA. However, only 62 independent clones were found in the untreated sample, and 15 of the sequencing files were affected by polyA. By randomly sequencing of the treated cDNA, we also found two clones encoded two interested genes. We failed to isolate these genes although the protein mass peaks of them had been found in the MALDI-TOF trace. Furthermore, we designed primers from two known genes with different expression abundances. The PCR yields were approaching similar using the treated cDNAs as templates. These results showed that, removal of the polyA and enrichment of rare genes with DSN can meet the requirements of large-scale sequencing and discovery of new genes.

Carrier screening for alpha- and beta-thalassemia in pregnancy: the results of an 11-year prospective program in Guangzhou Maternal and Neonatal hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the first prospective screening program in China for control of alpha and beta-thalassemia in the population of pregnant couples. METHODS: During the period between January 1993 and December 2003, a hospital-based preventive program was conducted at the biggest birth center in Guangzhou, with 1/17 of all deliveries in this city referred annually by use of conventional heterozygote screening strategy in combination with the system of regular healthcare examination in pregnancy. RESULTS: The screened records included 49 221 pregnant women, and 4503 husbands of the pregnant women showed positive on the screening test. Of the at-risk couples, there were 198 for alpha-thal (4.4%) and 83 for beta-thal (1.8%), respectively. Genetic counseling was offered to all at-risk couples and a successful prenatal diagnosis was performed for 269 out of 281 (95.7%) for alpha- or beta-thal major, with the remaining 12 couples refusing to accept prenatal diagnosis. Out of 187 pregnancies at risk for homozygous alpha0-thal and 82 at risk for beta-thal major, 51 hydrops fetalis with Hb Bart's and 18 beta-thal major were identified. All pregnancies with affected fetuses were voluntarily terminated, leading to a marked reduction of severe alpha- and beta-thal births at this hospital since the program has been launched. CONCLUSIONS: Our hospital-based program proved to be highly effective in reducing severe thals in pregnant populations.