Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique used in karyotype analysis of chorionic villi from missed abortion. Methods Feb 2008 to Oct 2008, 91 patients with missed abortion diagnosed by hormonal measurement, type B ultrasound and physical exam matched with 20 normal pregnant women undergoing artificial abortion were enrolled in this study. Chorionic villi was obtained by suction dilation and curettage in aseptic condition, then those villi was cultured and analyzed by traditional cytogenetic karyotyping method, in the mean time, the DNA extracted from villi was detected by MLPA. The results of chromosomal G-banding of chorionic villi were compared between two methods. Results The diagnostic concordance of MLPA and traditional karyotyping was observed in 92% (84/91) cases, there were 84 cases in the case group with diagnostic concordance by traditional karyotyping and MLPA except 7 cases of euploidy could not be detected by MLPA. The 84 cases included 40 normal karyotype,29 trisomy of euchromosome, 1 double trisomy of euchromosome, 10 monosomy X , 1 monosomy X combined with trisomy of euchromosome, 2 chimaera of X chromosome, 1 structural abnormity of euchromosome. Among 7 cases with discordance diagnosis, 2 cases with trisomy and 5 cases with tetrasomy of euchromosome were identified in traditional karyotyping, however, they were all diagnosed with normal disomy by MLPA. Of 20 villi from normal pregnancy, two methods got the consistent results. Conclusion The MLPA was rapid and efficacy method used for analyzing aneuploids in chorionic villi.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of rehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of botulinum toxic A (BTX-A) on spastic cerebral palsy (CP).Methods60 children with spastic CP were divided into experimental group and control group with 30 cases in each group. Cases of experimental group were treated with rehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of BTX-A. Cases of control group were treated only with rehabilitation treatment. The therapeutic efficacies of two groups were evaluated with physician rating scale (PRS) and activities of daily living (ADL) evaluation systems.ResultsImprovement of clinical evaluations index-PRS and ADL in experimental group was much more significant than that of control group (P<0.05). ConclusionRehabilitation associated with local intramuscular injection of BTX-A can improve the efficacy of spastic CP.

Objective To estimate clinical application of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for rapid prenatal detection of aneuploid abnormalities in amniotic fluid.Methods Totally 1229 amniotic fluid samples were collected from the pregnant women receving prenatal diagnosis for chromosomal abnormalities in Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from October 2009 to December 2010.All the samples were investigated independently with both MLPA and G-band karyotyping to detect aneuploidies of chromosomes X,Y,13,18 and 21.A comparison was followed the results acquired from two methods for evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of MLPA.ResultsThirtyeight aneuploidies were detected by G-band karyotyping,in which 34 were nonmosaic aneuploidies and 4were mosaic aneuploidies.MLPA and G-band karyotyping had consistent results in detecting the nonmosaic aneuploidies of chromosomes X,Y,13,18 and 21. Among 4 mosaic aneuploidies detected by G-band karyotyping,2 were confirmed by MLPA independently.Conclusions The sensitivity and specificity of MLPA in detecting the nonmosaic aneuploidies of chromosomes X,Y,13,18 and 21 were clinically acceptable.MLPA provides an efficient,reliable method for rapid detection of aneuploidies.

OBJECTIVETo perform mutation analysis for a female with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) and provide pre-symptomatic and prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSMutation screening of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene was carried out through targeted next-generation DNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSA novel c.956 A>T resulting in substitution of Aspartic acid 319 for Valine (p.Asp319Val) has been identified in exon 9 of the COMP gene in the patient. As predicted by a SIFT software, above mutation can cause damage to the structure of COMP protein.

CONCLUSIONA novel c.956 A>T substitution mutation has been identified in a patient featuring MED.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Matrilin Proteins ; Mutation ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Alignment

OBJECTIVETo use array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect unbalanced rearrangements in 4 cases suspected to have chromosome disease but were undetected with conventional karyotype analysis, and to assess the applicability of array-CGH and MLPA for detection of unbalanced translocation.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted with standard procedures. All cases were analyzed by array-CGH and subtelomeric MLPA.

RESULTSAll of the cases were identified to have unbalanced translocations by array-CGH analysis, among which 3 were consistent with subtelomeric MLPA analysis. For the remaining one, its chromosomal abnormality was not detected by MLPA as the imbalance has occurred outside of target regions.

CONCLUSIONBoth array-CGH and MLPA techniques can complement conventional karyotyping for detecting unbalanced translocations. The combination features both high resolution and efficiency for clinical use.

Adult ; Child ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Duplication ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Phenotype ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the mutation of the androgen receptor gene in a family with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and to explore the pathogenicity of the mutation.

METHODSPCR and DNA sequencing were performed to study the AR gene mutation; Mbo I restriction endonuclease was used to detect existence of the mutation in normal controls; conservation of the mutation site was analyzed by comparison of the sequence of amino acid among different species.

RESULTSThe DNA sequence of the three patients contained the same substitution of a single nucleotide on codon 681 GAG to GAT of exon 4, which located in the ligand binding domain of the AR receptor and led to substitution of glutamic acid to aspartic acid in the AR receptor. Their mother was heterozygote of E681D. E681D was not observed in the normal controls. The E681 site was extremely conservative in different species.

CONCLUSIONThe E681D mutation of the AR gene is a novel mutation of leading to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; genetics ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Receptors, Androgen ; chemistry ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of G-banded karyotyping in combination with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) as a tool for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with congenital heart defects.

METHODSThe combined method was used to analyze 104 fetuses with heart malformations identified by ultrasonography. Abnormal findings were confirmed with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).

RESULTSNineteen (18%) fetuses were found to harbor chromosomal aberrations by G-banded karyotyping and MLPA. For 93 cases, CMA has detected abnormalities in 14 cases including 10 pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) and 4 CNVs of uncertain significance (VOUS). MLPA was able to detect all of the pathogenic CNVs and 1 VOUS CNV.

CONCLUSIONCombined use of G-banded karyotyping and MLPA is a rapid, low-cost and effective method to detect chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with various heart malformations.

Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; methods ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutations among three sisters from a Chinese family suspected with Cockayne syndrome for growth and psychomotor retardation, and to offer genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.

METHODSG-banded karyotyping, microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CM-CGH), whole genome exon high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing were employed to identify potential genetic variations for the three patients and their parents.

RESULTSWhole exome sequencing has identified two novel missense mutations, i.e., c.1595A>G (p.Asp532Gly) and c.1607T>G (p.Leu536Trp), in exon 7 of excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency, complementation group 6 (ERCC6) gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that all of the three sisters have inherited one of the mutations (c.1607T>G) from their father and another (c.1595A>G) from their mother.

CONCLUSIONThree sisters have all been identified as double heterozygote for mutations c.1607T>G and c.1595A>G and were diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Cockayne Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Helicases ; genetics ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation of SLC22A5 gene in a 5-month-old boy affected with primary carnitine deficiency and provide genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the members of his family.

METHODSDNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples derived from the proband, his parents and elder sister, as well as amniotic fluid from his pregnant mother. All of the 10 exons of the SLC22A5 gene were amplified by PCR and subjected to Sanger sequencing. The amniotic fluid sample was also subjected to G-banded karyotyping and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

RESULTSA homozygous mutation c.760C>T (p.R254X) of the SLC22A5 gene was detected in the proband. Heterozygous mutation c.760C>T (p.R254X) was also found in other family members including the fetus. The karyotyping and chromosomal microdeletion testing for the amniotic fluid sample were both normal.

CONCLUSIONThe newly identified homozygous nonsense c.760C>T (p.R254X) mutation of the SLC22A5 gene probably underlies the primary carnitine deficiency of the proband. Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis have been provided for this family.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cardiomyopathies ; embryology ; genetics ; Carnitine ; deficiency ; genetics ; China ; Exons ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperammonemia ; embryology ; genetics ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscular Diseases ; embryology ; genetics ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5

In order to understand the current development of cell transformation assay (CTA) and its application in the evaluation of cigarette smoke carcinogenesis, the relevant literatures were analyzed and combed from these two aspects. CTA can evaluate the carcinogenicity of various genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens in a short period of time, and has a strong consistency with the results of animal carcinogenic test. After malignant transformation, the cells show changes in cell morphology, immortalization of cells, disappearance of cell-cell contact inhibition, and the ability to form tumors when injected into animals. The identification methods of transformed cells include transformed cell focus count, agglutination test, soft agar culture and inoculation of nude mice, etc. At present, BALB/c 3T3 cells, Bhas 42 cells and SHE cells are the most widely used cells for CTA. Cigarette smoke is a complex aerosol containing a variety of non-genetic carcinogenic chemicals. Cell transformation tests are often used as an in vitro alternative method to evaluate the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke, which is different from the short-term genetic toxicity test. It simulates the long-term state of human smoking induced malignant transformation of cells, through the long-term exposure of cells for several decades, which is closer to the occurrence of cancer caused by human smoking. Therefore, CTA can evaluate the carcinogenicity of cigarette smoke and other tobacco products.