Duck circovirus(DuCV),a potential immunosuppressive virus,was investigated in Southern China from March 2006 to December 2009 by using a polymerase chain reaction(PCR)based method. In this study,a total of 138 sick or dead duck samples from 18 different farms were examined with an average DuCV infection rate of～35%. It was found that ducks between the ages of 40～60 days were more susceptible to DuCV. There was no evidence showing that the DuCV virus was capable of vertical transmission. Farms with positive PCR results exhibited no regularly apparent clinical abnormalities such as feathering disorders,growth retardation or lower-than-average weight. The complete genomes of 9. strains from Fujian Province and 1 from Zhejiang Province were sequenced and analyzed. The 10 DuCV genomes,compared with others genomes downloaded from GenBank,ranged in size from 1988 to 1996 base pairs,with sequence identities ranging from 83.2% to 99.8%. Phylogenetic analysis based on genome sequences demonstrated that DuCVs can be divided into two distinct genetic genotypes,Group I(the Euro-USA lineage)and Group II(the Taiwan lineage),with approximately 10.0% genetic difference between the two types. Molecular epidemiological data suggest there is no obvious difference among DuCV strains isolated from different geographic locations or different species,including Duck,Muscovy duck,Mule duck,Cheery duck,Mulard duck and Pekin duck.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular basis for three pedigrees affected with hypophosphatemia vitamin D resistant rickets (X-linked hypophosphatemia, XLH).

METHODSPeripheral blood samples from the three pedigrees were collected. Following DNA extraction, the 11 exons and flanking regions of the PHEX gene were subjected to PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Pathogenicity of identified mutations was evaluated through genotype-phenotype correlation.

RESULTSFor pedigrees 1 and 2, pathogenic mutations were respectively identified in exon 8 (c.871C>T, p.R291X) and exon 15 (c.1601C>T, p.P534L) of the PHEX gene. For pedigree 3, a novel mutation (c.1234delA, p.S412Vfs*12) was found in exon 11 of the PHEX gene, which caused shift the reading frame and premature termination of protein translation.

CONCLUSIONThe three mutations probably account for the XLH in the affected pedigrees. The discovery of novel mutations has enriched the spectrum of PHEX gene mutations.

Objective:To explore the effect of functional electrical stimulation on cognition and on the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptophysin (SYN) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) using a rat model of vascular dementia.Methods:Ninety pathogen-free male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a placebo stimulation group and an electrical stimulation group. Both the placebo and electrical stimulation groups underwent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery to establish a model of vascular dementia. In the sham operation group the arteries were exposed without occlusion. Each group was then sub-divided into 3, 7 and 14 days subgroups with 10 rats in each subgroup. Beginning seven days after the surgery, the rats in the electrical stimulation group were given 30-minutes of stimulation every day while those in the sham operation group and the placebo stimulation group were given false electrical stimulation. After 3, 7 or 14 days the rats′ cognitive functioning was quantified using the Morris water maze test. The rats were then sacrificed and the expression of BDNF mRNA was measured using in situ hybridization. MAP2 and SYN levels were quantified immunohistochemically.Results:After 14 days the average latency in the placebo stimulation group was significantly longer than in the other groups. On the sixth day the average time in the target zone among the placebo stimulation group was significantly shorter than the other two groups′ averages. After only 3 days of simulation, the average expression of BDNF mRNA in the CA1 area of the hippocampus was significantly lower in the placebo stimulation group than among the others. After 7 days of stimulation the placebo group′s average was significantly lower than that of the sham operation group. The average expression of MAP2 had decreased significantly in the placebo stimulation group compared with the other two groups after 7 and 14 days of simulation. After 7 days the average expression of SYN in the placebo stimulation group was significantly lower than in the sham operation group, and after 14 days it was significantly lower than in the other two groups.Conclusions:Functional electrical stimulation may improve learning and memory in rats modelling vascular dementia through increasing BDNF, SYN and MAP2 expression levels.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with cerebellar dysplasia and widened lateral ventricles. METHODS: The couple have elected induced abortion after careful counseling. Skin tissue sample from the abortus and peripheral venous blood samples from both parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA, which was then subjected to whole exome sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasonography showed increased nuchal translucency (0.4 cm) and widened lateral ventricles. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed infratentorial brain dysplasia. By DNA sequencing, the fetus was found to carry compound heterozygous variants c.1A>G and c.1564G>A of the RARS2 gene, which were inherited from its father and mother, respectively. Among these, c.1A>G was known to be pathogenic, but the pathogenicity of c.1564G>A was unreported previously. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, the c.1564G>A variant of RARS2 gene was predicted to be likely pathogenic(PM2+PM3+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.1A>G and c.1564G>A of RARS2 gene contributed to the fetus suffering from pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6, which expanded variant spectrum of RARS2 gene.
Female ; Fetus ; Genomics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies ; Pregnancy ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Objective:To explore the clinical feasibility of extra-peritoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy based on the concept of 3D membrane anatomy.Methods:The clinical data of 10 male patients with bladder cancer who underwent 3D extra-peritoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy + ileal-orthotopic-neobladder surgery from October 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 67 years. The ASA score was 1-2 in 8 cases and 3 in 2 cases. There were 4 cases of hypertension, 2 cases of diabetes, 1 case of heart disease, no case of abdominal surgery history. During the operation, the concept of 3D membrane anatomy was used to identify the important fascia in the pelvic cavity and to find the key layers and structures in the pelvic cavity.It was separated from the prevesical fascia to the laterovesical space, and confluenced with Retzius space and Bogros space. It was dissected in the layer surrounded by the prevesical fascia, the vesicohypogastric fascia, and the urogenital fascia to complete the process of cystectomy.Results:The operations of 10 patients were completed successfully and there was no conversion to open operation. The median operation time was 276(237-325) minutes, and the median blood loss was 160(50-280)ml. The postoperative bowel recovery median time was 1.8(1-3)days, and the patients were out of bed about 1.3(1-2) days. The median postoperative hospital stay was 9(5-12) days. The number of median lymph node dissection in all patients was 10(6-20). Positive lymph nodes was found in 3 cases. Positive margin was found in no case. Postoperative tumor pathological stages were T 2 stage in 7 cases, T 3 stage in 3 cases. During the follow-up, all patients had no obvious complications. Conclusions:It is feasible to apply the concept of 3D membrane anatomy to identify and locate the key fascia structures and levels in extra-peritoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy. The operative complications were less and the postoperative recovery was faster. The anatomy is clear during the operation, which has good safety and reduces the difficulty of the operation.