Objective:To investigate the clinical value of targeted sequencing panel in the detection of genetic variation in neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods:All neonates (≤28 d of age) admitted in the NICU (case group) and 200 full-term healthy neonates born with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities of Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital were enrolled in this prospective study from November 2022 to January 2023. Based on a list of preventable and treatable rare diseases as well as newly screened diseases in China, a targeted sequencing panel suitable for Chinese newborns was designed to target the pathogenic genes and mutation sites associated with 601 genes and 542 diseases. Dried blood spot specimens were prepared and analyzed by the targeted sequencing panel. Pathogenic sites detected by the panel sequencing were verified using Sanger sequencing. The genetic testing results were analyzed according to the clinical features of the neonates. According to the number of primary clinical diagnosis index (including premature infants, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, hemorrhagic diseases, neonatal infections, ventricular septal defect/patent ductus arteriosus, and others), these patients were divided into four groups with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 diagnosis index, respectively. Chi-square test and linear correlation Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 173 patients in the case group and 30.6% (53/173) of them carried pathogenic variants, including 52 positive for pathogenic genes and one with chromosome copy number variant. The positive rate of pathogenic genes was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [30.1% (52/173) vs. 15.0% (30/200), χ 2=12.26, P<0.001]. Fourteen pathogenic genes were detected in the case group, including FLG, UGT1A1, G6PD, MYH7, AR, ABCC2, ACADS, CYP21A2, GJB2, MEFV, PAH, PKHD1, SCN4A, and HBA. In the case group, the detection rate of pathogenic variants in jaundiced neonates was higher than that in non-jaundiced neonates [35.2% (44/125) vs. 18.8% (9/48), χ 2=4.42, P=0.036]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the detection rates of pathogenic variants between male and female infants, infants born to mothers of advanced maternal age or not, infants born to mothers with or without gestational diabetes mellitus, premature and term infants, or infants with or without hemorrhagic disorders, neonatal infections, or ventricular septal defects/patent ductus arteriosus in the case group (all P>0.05). The detection rate of pathogenic variants showed a linear increase in infants with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 diagnosis index [21.1% (8/38), 25.4% (15/59), 38.2% (13/34), and 40.5% (17/42); linear correlation χ 2=4.84, P=0.028]. In the case group, seven genes with a high detection rate of genetic variation (including positive pathogenic genes and carriers) were UGT1A1 [had the highest detection rate, 24.9% (43/173)], GJB2, FLG, DUOX2, ABCA4, G6PD, and MUT. Seven loci with higher mutation frequency were c.211G>A(p.Gly71Arg), c.1091C>T(p.Pro364Leu), c.-41_-40dupTA, and c.686C>A(p.Pro229Gln) in the UGT1A1 gene, c.109G>A(p.Val37Ile) in the GJB2 gene, and c.12064A>T(p.Lys4022Ter) and c.3321del(p.Gly1109GlufsTer13) in the FLG gene. Conclusion:This panel sequencing can provide effective genetic testing for neonates in NICU, especially in children with complex clinical diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.

Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.

Objective:To analyze the types and distribution of pathogenic variants for neonatal genetic diseases in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province.Methods:One thousand neonates (48 ~ 42 h after birth) born to Huzhou region were selected as the study subjects. Dry blood spot samples were collected from the newborns, and targeted capture high-throughput sequencing was carried out for pathogenic genes underlying 542 inherited diseases. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:Among the 1 000 newborns, the male to female ratio was 1.02 : 1.00. No pathogenic variants were detected in 253 cases, whilst 747 cases were found to carry at least one pathogenic variant, which yielded a carrier rate of 74.7%. The most frequently involved pathogenic gene was FLG, followed by GJB2, UGT1A1, USH2A and DUOX2. The variants were classified as homozygous, compound heterozygous, and hemizygous variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), 213 neonates were verified to have carried pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic variants, with a positive rate of 21.3%. The most commonly involved genes had included UGT1A1, FLG, GJB2, MEFV and G6PD. Conclusion:Newborn screening based on high-throughput sequencing technology can expand the scope of screening and improve the positive predictive value. Genetic counseling based on the results can improve the patients′ medical care and reduce neonatal mortality and childhood morbidity, while provide assistance to family members′ health management and reproductive decisions.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in Zhoushan City from 2004 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of public health emergencies. Methods : Data pertaining to public health emergencies and their associated data in Zhoushan City from 2004 to 2021 were retrieved from Emergency Public Health Management Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The type, date of occurrence and places of public health emergencies were descriptively analyzed. Results: Sixty public health emergencies were reported in Zhoushan City from 2004 to 2021, during which 1 527 cases were reported and 52 661 individuals were involved, with an attack rate of 2.90% (95%CI: 2.78%-3.02%). There were 3 Ⅲ-level (5.00%), 13 Ⅳ-level (21.67%) and 44 unclassified public health emergencies (73.33%), and no Ⅰ- or Ⅱ-level emergencies were reported. The reported public health emergencies peaked in January (9), August (6) and December (9), and there were 47 infectious disease emergencies (78.33%), 10 food poisoning emergencies (16.67%) and 3 chemical gas poisoning emergencies (5.00%), respectively. The four most common infectious disease emergencies included other infectious diarrhea (25.53%), COVID-19 (17.02%), influenza (14.89%) and chickenpox (14.89%). School and kindergarten were predominant places where public health emergencies occurred (39, 65.00%), and the three most common public health emergencies reported by schools and kindergartens included other infectious diarrhea (28.21%), influenza (17.95%) and chickenpox (17.95%). Conclusions Infectious disease emergencies were predominant public health emergencies in Zhoushan City from 2004 to 2021, and Ⅳ-level and unclassified emergencies were predominant. Public health emergencies mainly occurred in schools and kindergartens.

OBJECTIVE: To detect pathogenic variant in a child featuring Usher syndrome type II. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for the analysis of variants of hearing impairment-related genes. The findings were verified in 100 individuals with normal hearing. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the USH2A gene, namely c.8224-1G>C in intron 41 and c.5678C>G(p.Ser1893X) in exon 28, which were inherited respectively from his mother and father. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines, both c.8224-1G>C and c.5678C>G(p.Ser1893X) variants of USH2A gene were predicted to be pathogenic(PVS1+PM2+PM3). CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.8224-1G>C and c.5678C>G of the USH2A gene probably underlay the disease in this child. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of USH2A gene variants.
Child ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics* ; Family ; Humans ; Introns ; United States ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of latent infection of pathogens of hand,foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Chinese healthy population and its influencing factors,so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of HFMD. Methods : Literature on the latent infection of HFMD was searched in Chinese and English databases,such as CNKI,Wanfang,CBMd,PubMed,Web of Science and ScienceDirect,from January 1,2000 to December 31,2019. The pooled rate and its 95% confidence interval(95%CI)were used to assess the latent infection rate of HFMD pathogens in healthy Chinese population. Results: A total of 442 articles were retrieved,and 31 articles were finally included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The results showed that the latent infection rate of human enteroviruses in healthy Chinese population was 18.8%(95%CI:16.1%-21.6%),and the latent infection rates of EV71,CV-A16 and other HEVs were 3.7%(95%CI:2.5%-4.9%),1.9%(95%CI:1.0%-2.9%) and 15.1%(95%CI:11.9%-18.3%),respectively. The latent infection rates of HEVs in healthy men and women in China were 16.7%(95%CI:12.9%-20.4%) and 14.4%(95%CI:10.8%-18.0%),respectively. The latent infection rates of human enterovirues HEVs in the healthy population aged 0-5 years and over 5 years were 24.4%(95%CI:20.4%-28.5%) and 9.4%(95%CI:6.5%-12.2%),respectively. Meta regression analysis showed that the associated factors for the latent infection rate of HEVs in Chinese healthy population included sampling period,sampling area and study population.Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant change on meta results after the exclusion of individual studies one by one(p>0.05). Begg's tests,Egger's tests and funnel plots all indicated the existence of publication bias. Trim and fill method showed that the recessive infection rate was reduced after adjustment(p<0.05). Conclusions The latent infection rate of HFMD pathogens is high in healthy people in China,and it is mainly caused by other HEVs. Males and children aged under 5 years are at high risk of latent infection of HEVs.

OBJECTIVE: To provide genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis for a woman with Sheldon-Hall syndrome. METHODS: The woman was subjected to targeted capture and next-generation sequencing for variant of genes associated with skeletal disorders. And the result was verified in her parents and fetus. RESULTS: The woman was found to harbor a c.188G>A variant of the TNNT3 gene, which was also found in her affected mother and the fetus. Her grandmother and grandmother's brother had similar manifestations, which was in line with an autosomal dominant inheritance. The same variant was not found in her father. CONCLUSION The c.188G>A variant of the TNNT3 gene probably underlay the distal joint contracture in this pedigree, based on which prenatal diagnosis was attained.

Objective : To study the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） in Zhoushan, so as to provide reference for improving the prevention and control capability of COVID-19. Methods : All the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Zhoushan, diagnosed according to China’s “COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment plan （fifth version） ” and reported from January 19 to February 17, 2020, were extracted from the infectious disease surveillance system. Data of general information, clinical characteristics, laboratory Results, transmission and detection routes were collected and analyzed. Results : By February 17, Ten confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Zhoushan had been reported, including 7 males and 3 females. They were all adults, with an average age of （50.90±15.00） years. Five cases were discharged. The incubation period ranged from 2 to 12 days, with a median of 5 days. The first symptoms were fever （8 cases）, cough （7 cases） and muscle pain （2 cases）. Chest computed tomographic （CT） scans showed ground glass opacities in the lungs of all the cases. Six cases had Wuhan related exposure. SARS-CoV-2 was tested positive in the sputum specimens or throat swabs of all the cases and the faeces of 4 cases. The last suspicious exposure of 5 cases occurred before, and that of another 5 cases occurred after the onset of clinical symptoms in the confirmed maternal cases. Three cases were found in active consultation after clinical symptoms, and another 7 cases were found in the monitoring of close contacts. Conclusions The 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Zhoushan are all adults, and most have Wuhan related exposure. SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the fecal samples, but the existence of fecal-oral transmission needs more research. SARS-CoV-2 has strong infectivity, and may also have infectivity before the onset of symptoms （at the end of incubation period）. Isolation and early detection of close contacts are conducive for early case-finding.