Association Analysis between Genotype and Phenotype of α,β-Thalassaemia Carriers in Huizhou Area of Guangdong Province / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the prevalence, genotype distribution and hematological characteristics of α,β-thalassaemia carriers in Huizhou area of Guangdong Province.@*METHODS@#10 809 carriers of simple β-thalassaemia and 1 757 carriers of α,β-thalassaemia were enrolled as our study cohort. The hematological parameters were detected by automated blood cell counters and automatic capillary electrophoresis. Suspension array technology, gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) and PCR-reverse dot blot were used for the genotyping of thalassaemia carriers.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of α,β-thalassaemia in Huizhou area of Guangdong Province was 1.99%. A total of 62 genotypes were detected, and the most prevalent genotype was --SEA/ αα, βCD41-42/ βN (19.29%), the next was --SEA/ αα, βIVS-II-654/ βN (16.73%). Significant differences in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were found between different genotype groups for simple β-thalassaemia and α,β-thalassaemia. Violin plots showed that carriers with co-inheritance of β-thalassaemia and mild α-thalassaemia expressed the lightest anemia, and carriers with co-inheritance of β-thalassaemia and hemoglobin H (Hb H) disease expressed the most severe anemia.@*CONCLUSION@#There is a high prevalence of α,β-thalassaemia in Huizhou area of Guangdong Province. Because of the lack of specific hematological makers for diagnosis of α,β-thalassaemia, it is necessary to distinguish it from simple β-thalassaemia by genotyping of α- and β-thalassaemia in order to correctly guide genetic counseling and prenatal disgnosis.

Synthesis and cofluorescence of Eu(Y) complexes with salicylic acid and o-phenanthroline.

A series of dinuclear complexes of salicylic acid (HSal) and o-phenanthroline (Phen) with different molar ratios of Eu3+ to Y3+ have been synthesized. Their compositions are Eu(x)Y(1-x) (Sal)3(Phen) (x = 0 to approximately 1). Their UV spectra, IR spectra, and fluorescence spectra were studied. The UV spectra of the complexes reflect essentially absorption of the ligands for the fact that no obvious change of wavelength and band shape is found between the spectra of the complexes and that of the ligands except slight red shift. The IR absorption spectra indicate that salicylic acid is coordinated to the rare earth ions and chemical bonds are formed between rare earth ions and nitrogen atoms of o-phenanthroline. The fluorescence spectra of the complexes indicate that the fluorescence emission intensity of europium ion was enhanced by the addition of Y3+, which is referred to as cofluorescence. These facts show that not only the ligands but also the yttrium complex can transfer the absorbed energy to Eu3+ ion in the complexes. Formation of polynuclear complexes appears to be responsible for cofluorescence.

Sintering and microstructure of silicon carbide ceramic with Y3Al5O12 added by sol-gel method.

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic with YAG (Y3Al5O12) additive added by sol-gel method was liquid-phase sintered at different sintering temperatures, and the sintering mechanism and microstructural characteristics of resulting silicon carbide ceramics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental distribution of surface (EDS). YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) phase formed before the sintering and its uniform distribution in the SiC/YAG composite powder decreased the sintering temperature and improved the densification of SiC ceramic. The suitable sintering temperature was 1860 degrees C with the specimen sintered at this temperature having superior sintering and mechanical properties, smaller crystal size and fewer microstructure defects. Three characteristics of improved toughness of SiC ceramic with YAG added by sol-gel method were microstructural densification, main-crack deflection and crystal 'bridging'.

Investigation of compaction and sintering behavior of SiC powder after ultra-fine treatment.

Silicon carbide ceramics were prepared with SiC powder treated by the fluidized bed opposed jet mill as raw materials, and the effects of the ultra-fine treatment mechanism on the compaction and sintering behavior of SiC ceramics were investigated. The results showed that the compacts had higher density and microstructure homogeneity when the sintering temperature of the compact was decreased; and that the surface microstructure, densification and mechanical properties of the sintered body could be ameliorated obviously.