OBJECTIVES: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data in the identification of disease-causing genes provides a promising opportunity in the diagnosis of disease. Beyond the previous efforts for NGS data alignment, variant detection, and visualization, developing a comprehensive annotation system supported by multiple layers of disease phenotype-related databases is essential for deciphering the human genome. To satisfy the impending need to decipher the human genome, it is essential to develop a comprehensive annotation system supported by multiple layers of disease phenotype-related databases. METHODS: AnsNGS (Annotation system of sequence variations for next-generation sequencing data) is a tool for contextualizing variants related to diseases and examining their functional consequences. The AnsNGS integrates a variety of annotation databases to attain multiple levels of annotation. RESULTS: The AnsNGS assigns biological functions to variants, and provides gene (or disease)-centric queries for finding disease-causing variants. The AnsNGS also connects those genes harbouring variants and the corresponding expression probes for downstream analysis using expression microarrays. Here, we demonstrate its ability to identify disease-related variants in the human genome. CONCLUSIONS: The AnsNGS can give a key insight into which of these variants is already known to be involved in a disease-related phenotype or located in or near a known regulatory site. The AnsNGS is available free of charge to academic users and can be obtained from http://snubi.org/software/AnsNGS/.
Fees and Charges ; Genome, Human ; Genomic Structural Variation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Phenotype ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) enables the genome-wide detection of submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances with greater precision and accuracy. In most other countries, CMA is now a commonly used clinical diagnostic test, replacing conventional cytogenetics or targeted detection such as FISH or PCR-based methods. Recently, some consensus statements have proposed utilization of CMA as a first-line test in patients with multiple congenital anomalies not specific to a well-delineated genetic syndrome, developmental delay/intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorders. CMA can be used as an adjunct to conventional cytogenetics to identify chromosomal abnormalities observed in G-banding analysis in constitutional or acquired cases, leading to a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of chromosomal aberrations. Although CMA has distinct advantages, there are several limitations, including its inability to detect balanced chromosomal rearrangements and low-level mosaicism, its interpretation of copy number variants of uncertain clinical significance, and significantly higher costs. For these reasons, CMA is not currently a replacement for conventional cytogenetics in prenatal diagnosis. In clinical applications of CMA, knowledge and experience based on genetics and cytogenetics are required for data analysis and interpretation, and appropriate follow-up with genetic counseling is recommended.
Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Consensus ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Genetic Counseling ; Genomic Structural Variation ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Mosaicism ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Statistics as Topic

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) causes approximately 400 000 deaths each year worldwide. The occurrence of LUSC is attributed to exposure to cigarette smoke, which induces the development of numerous genomic abnormalities. However, few studies have investigated the genomic variations that occur only in normal tissues that have been similarly exposed to tobacco smoke as tumor tissues. In this study, we sequenced the whole genomes of three normal lung tissue samples and their paired adjacent squamous cell carcinomas.We then called genomic variations specific to the normal lung tissues through filtering the genomic sequence of the normal lung tissues against that of the paired tumors, the reference human genome, the dbSNP138 common germline variants, and the variations derived from sequencing artifacts. To expand these observations, the whole exome sequences of 478 counterpart normal controls (CNCs) and paired LUSCs of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were analyzed. Sixteen genomic variations were called in the three normal lung tissues. These variations were confirmed by Sanger capillary sequencing. A mean of 0.5661 exonic variations/Mb and 7.7887 altered genes per sample were identified in the CNC genome sequences of TCGA. In these CNCs, C:G→T:A transitions, which are the genomic signatures of tobacco carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, were the predominant nucleotide changes. Twenty five genes in CNCs had a variation rate that exceeded 2%, including ARSD (18.62%), MUC4 (8.79%), and RBMX (7.11%). CNC variations in CTAGE5 and USP17L7 were associated with the poor prognosis of patients with LUSC. Our results uncovered previously unreported genomic variations in CNCs, rather than LUSCs, that may be involved in the development of LUSC.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genome, Human ; Genomic Structural Variation ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation

Neonatal screening is one of the crucial parts of the tertiary prevention strategy to reduce congenital disability. Traditional neonatal screening, mainly focusing on genetic metabolic diseases, has limitations in disease types and requires genetic testing for further validation and accurate typing. Currently, conducting genetic screening based on biochemical metabolite screening has become the trend in neonatal screening. This article synthesizes the current state of neonatal genome screening at home and abroad. Herein, the comprehensive concepts of "SNV Plus" (single nucleotide variation plus) and "CNV Plus" (copy number variation plus) have been proposed to develop a new technology that can detect the gene structure of SNV and CNV simultaneously and improve the level of neonatal genome screening based on characteristics of the pathogenic gene structure.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Nucleotides

DNA Copy Number Variations ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics* ; Humans

Recently, researches on copy number variation （CNV） have extended to every field, such as etiological exploration and precise treatment of complex diseases, as well as genetic breeding and evolution. The unique genetic characteristics of CNV have made people gradually believe that it could be used as a biological genetic marker to solve related problems. With the development of detection technology, application of CNV in forensic medicine will increase gradually. In this paper, the concept and development of CNV, as well as its application in forensic medicine are summarized, to provide new ideas for the practical application of CNV in the future.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Forensic Medicine ; Genetic Markers

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic variant of a child with Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome (SBCS). METHODS: A child who was diagnosed with SBCS in June 2017 at Henan Children's Hospital was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected and the extraction of genomic DNA, which was subjected to trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) and genome copy number variation (CNV) analysis. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of his pedigree members. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestations of the child have included language delay, intellectual impairment and motor development delay, which were accompanied with facial dysmorphisms (broad forehead, inverted triangular face, sparse eyebrows, widely spaced eyes, narrow palpebral fissures, broad nose bridge, midface hypoplasia, thin upper lip, pointed jaw, low-set ears and posteriorly rotated ears). Trio-WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the child has harbored a heterozygous splicing variant of the CHD3 gene, namely c.4073-2A>G, for which both of his parents were of wild-type. No pathogenic variant was identified by CNV testing. CONCLUSION The c.4073-2A>G splicing variant of the CHD3 gene probably underlay the SBCS in this patient.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Heterozygote ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; RNA Splicing ; Mutation

Copy number variation (CNV) is an important type of genomic structural variation and plays a crucial role in genomic disorders imposed by diseases. Most of the current bioinformatic researches focus on developing algorithms and tools for detecting CNVs from single or paired datasets, but the analysis of such CNVs is not sufficient from a family-based genetic point of view. We performed a trio-sample family based parents-offspring CNV analysis using the 1000G data. We found a number of CNVs that the offsprings inherited from their parents and inferred through hierarchical analysis how they were generated. In addition, we also discovered several de novo CNV candidates.
Algorithms ; Computational Biology ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Genomics ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genome copy number variation (CNV) related with keloid using the whole-gene resequencing technology.

METHODSA keloid pedigree containing 4 generation of 27 people was studied. Five people (4 cases of keloid patients, and 1 case of normal) were selected to extract the genomic DNA. Then the whole-gene resequencing technique was used to check the variations based on the Illumina Hiseq 2000.

RESULTSThrough database comparison and variation annotation analysis, 15 CNVs associated with scar hyperplasia were obtained. DAVID software was used to do the Gene Ontology and pathway analysis. Five CNVs were closely related to the keloid formation. They were growth factor receptor-bound 7 (Grb7), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 15 (MAP3K15), kruppel-like factors 7 (KLF7) and NK2 homeobox 2 (NKX2-2). These CNVs were involved in the process of epidermal cells formation and differentiation, cell exocrine and cell adhesion.

CONCLUSIONSThere are 5 CNVs associated with scar hyperplasia. Especially MAP3K15 and MAP4K4 deserve more research to find their function in keloid formation.

Genomic polymorphisms come in various forms including single nucleotide variations, translocations, insertions and copy number variations (CNVs). As a form of structural variation, the CNVs comprise common and rare forms based on their populational frequencies. Studies have demonstrated that certain CNVs are associated with risks for neuro-developmental diseases, viral infections, chronic inflammations, and cancers. With the development of high-resolution genome typing technologies such as microarrays and whole genome sequencing, the human genomic CNVs map has been continuously improved and refined. In-depth study of CNVs not only can provide comprehensive understanding for their structural variations and genetic evolution, but also provide new insights into genetic factors contributing to such diseases. In this paper, the general characteristics, pathogenesis and detection methods for the CNVs, as well as their association with human diseases are reviewed.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans