β-thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic genetic disorders in the world,and represents a major public health problem among humans.This review descrihes the latest technical development of molecular diagnosis of β-thalassemia from the perspective of clinical settings.Related techniques including reverse dot blot,minisequencing,real-time PCR,and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis,etc.are discussed regarding their principles,features and trends.

Objective To validate the performance of a PMA-based assay for detection of INH-resistant mutations in MTB and investigate the mutation characteristic of INH-resistance.Methods The MTB standard strain H37Rv was from National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory,1 wild-type strain and 1 katG S315T ACC mutant strain were from Xiamen CDC,7 MTB INH-resistant strains with known INH resistance mutations were from Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control,Henan CDC,No.309 Hospital of PIA and Xiamen CDC.707 MTB clinical isolates were from Xiamen CDC,Xiamen No.1 Hospital and Zhangzhou CDC,126 sputum samples were from Xiamen Tongan CDC.The genomic DNA of the MTB standard strain H37Rv,7 MTB INH-resistant strains and 833 clinical samples,were extracted with Xiamen Zeesan Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isoniazid-resistance Mutation Test Kit using the thermal lysis method.The genomic DNA of 1 wild-type strain and 1 katG S315T ACC mutant strain were extracted with AxyPrep Bacterial Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit.The mutations were discriminated by the △Tm between the samples and wild type control in katG315 codon,inhA promoter -17 to -8 region,ahpC promoter region -44 to -30 and - 15 to 3,and inhA94 codon.A 10-fold dilution series of MTB DNA from 3 × 105 to 300 copies/ reaction obtained from a wild-type strain and a katG S315T ACC mutant strain,respectively,were prepared to determine the analytical sensitivity.Seven MTB INH-resistant strains with 9 predetermined mutations were used for the analytical specificity assay,and 5 mutants of which were used for the repeatability assay.The clinical detection performance of PMA assay were confirmed by the sequencing method in 833 samples.Results Results could be obtained within 3 hours from DNA extraction to PMA assay,including 46 samples in a standard 96-well real-time PCR instrument simultaneously.The analytical sensitivities of PMA were 300 copies/reaction for both the wild-type strain and katG S315T ACC mutant strain.Nine INH-resistant point mutations could be discriminated and 5 of which had standard deviations of melting temperature less than 0.5 ℃.Fully concordant results of mutant locus between PMA assay and sequencing were obtained in all 162 mutant samples.INH-resistant mutations in the four loci were found in 19.4％ (162/833) samples by PMA assay in Xiamen and Zhangzhou.Among the 14 lNH-resistant mutant types detected,katG S315T ( AGC→ACC),inhA promoter - 15C→T and katG S315N (AGC→AAC) accounted for 83.3％ (135/162) of the overall mutations.

Objective To observe the effect of qixiantang decoction on asthma model mice and to explore its mechanism of phosphatase gene ( PTEN)-up-regulation. Methods A total of 28 healthy female BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups according to the random number table ( n=7 ): normal control group, model control group, qixiantang decoction group, and dexamethasone group. The mice were sensitized with ovalbumin ( OVA) for asthma model. Qixiantang decoction group was treated with drug after OVA sensitization. Hematoxylin-eosin ( H-E) staining was applied to observe the pulmonary inflammation in mice, and periodic acid Schiff ( PAS) staining was used to examine airway mucus secretion. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of serum IgE. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to examine IL-13 and IL-5 gene expression changes in lung tissues of mice. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PTEN and SIRT1 protein in lung tissues. Results The lung tissue inflammatory infiltration and mucus secretion in model control group were higher than normal control group (P<0. 01), and that in the qixiantang decoction group. The level of serum IgE in model control group [(6. 67 ± 2. 59) pg·mL-1)] was significantly higher than normal control group [(0.27 ± 0.05) pg·mL-1, P <0.01] ,and that in the qixiantang decoction group [(3.52 ±1.44) pg·mL-1,P<0.05]. The expression of PTEN and SIRT1 in lung tissue of model control group were significantly lower than normal control group, and that of qixiantang decoction group. The expression of IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA of qixiantang decoction group was significantly lower (P<0. 05). Conclusion Qixiantang decoction could significantly ameliorate inflammation in asthmatic mice by regulate IgE、IL-5、IL-13 expression, and might up-regulate PTEN expression via SIRT1 signal.

Objective To explore the in vitro antibacterial effect of tanreqing injection combined with cefuroxime sodium injection against staphylococcus aureus. Methods The MIC of tanreqing injection or cefuroxime sodium injection against staphylococcus aureus was detected by microamount dilution method.The antibacterial activity of tanreqing injection combined with cefuroxime sodium injection was determined by a chess board dilution method and assessed according to FIC index. Results The MIC of tanreqing injection and cefuroxime sodium injection against staphylococcus aureus was 1∶256 and 2 μg . mL-1 , respectively. While combined with each other, the MIC of tanreqing injection and cefuroxime sodium injection against staphylococcus aureus was 1∶4 096 and 0. 125 μg . mL-1 , respectively. The FIC index of tanreqing injection combined with cefuroxime sodium injection against staphylococcus aureus was 0. 125. Conclusion Tanreqing injection has a synergistic antibacterial effect against staphylococcus aureus when it was combined with cefuroxime sodium injection.

Objective To evaluate the potential use of a probe melting analysis (PMA) assay in detecting the embB mutations which confer resistance against ethambutol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods The analysis sensitivity and specificity of PMA were investigated by detecting a serially diluted H37 Rv DNA and a reference panel from National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Product. Six hundred and thirteen sputum samples were collected from the Xiamen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xiamen First Hospital and Center for Zhangzhou Disease Control and Prevention from September 2009 to April 2010. The PMA assay was then evaluated by detecting 613 clinical isolates and the results were compared with the sequencing results. Results The PMA assay could specifically detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and had a limit of detection of 3 copies per reaction. The assay results with 613 clinical isolates showed that PMA gave a 100% concordance with sequencing in the 583 qualified samples, among which 34 were mutations at embB 306,23 at embB 378-380, 3 at embB 406 and 3 at embB 497. Conclusions PMA assay is a sensitive and specific method enabling efficient detection of common embB mutations causing ethambutol-resistance. The rapidness of this method together with its reliability would facilitate its use in routine testing.

Objective To investigate the genotype and epidemiology of plasmid‐mediated AmpC β‐lactamases produced by the clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae .Methods A total of 176 clinical nonrepetitive cefoxitin non‐sensitivity isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was collected from July 2011 to August 2012 .Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for AmpC enzyme gene amplification and DNA sequencing were carried out for genotype of AmpC beta‐lactamases .Results The results of PCR showed that the positive rate of ampC of the 176 strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae AmpC was 18 .2% ,mainly DHA type ,counting for 59 .4% ,CIT counting for 37 .5% ,EBC counting for 3 .1% .The positive rate of ampC of Escherichia coli was 11 .4% ,mainly CIT type ,counting for 77 .8% ,the positive rates of DHA type and EBC type both were 11 .1% .The positive rate of ampC of Klebsiella pneumoniae were 23 .7% ,mainly DHA type ,counting for 78 .3% ,CIT type count‐ing for 21 .7% .The results of DNA sequencing showed that there were 18 strains DHA‐1 type and 1 strain ampC gene type of Morganella morganii in DHA type strains ,the concordance rate was 97 .0% ,10 CIT type strains was CMY‐2 type ,1 strain was CMY‐42 ,one strain was CMY‐4 type ,EBC type was ampC gene type of Enterobacter cloacae ,the concordance rate was 99 .0% .A total of 32 strains of gene sequencing were registered as KJ127248 - KJ127279 in GenBank .Conclusion The main genotypes of plasmid‐mediated ampC enzyme produced by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were CMY‐2 and DHA‐1 respectively .

OBJECTIVETo develop a high-throughput rapid method for Vibrio (V.) cholerae molecular typing based on Melting Curve-based Multilocus Melt Typing (McMLMT).

METHODSSeven housekeeping genes of V.cholerae were screened out, and for each gene, the specific primers were designed for correspondent genes as well as 4 probes covering polymorphism loci of sequences. After optimizing all parameters, a method of melting-curve analysis following asymmetric PCR was established with dual-fluorescent-reporter in two reaction tubes for each gene. A set of 28 Tm-values was obtained for each strain and then translated into a set of code of allelic genes, standing for the strain's McMLMT type (MT). Meanwhile, sequences of the 7-locus polymorphism were typed according to the method of MLST. To evaluate the efficiency and reliability of McMLMT, the data were compared with that of sequence-typing and PFGE using BioNumerics software.

RESULTSMcMLMT method was established and refined for rapid typing of V. cholerae that a dozen of strains can be finished testing in a 3-hours PCR running using 96-well plates. 108 strains were analyzed and 28-Tm-values could be grouped and encoded according to 7 housekeeping gene to obtain the code set of allelic genes, and classified into 18 types (D = 0.723 3). Sequences of the 7 genes' polymorphism areas were directly clustered into the same 18 types with reference to MLST method. 46 of the strains, each represented a different PFGE type, could be classified into 13 types (D = 0.614 5) with McMLMT method and A- K groups at 85% similarity (D = 0.858 9) with PFGE method.

CONCLUSIONMcMLMT method is a rapid high-throughput molecular typing method for batches of strains with a resolution equal to MLST method and comparable to PFGE group.

Objective To discuss the therapy for acetabular comminuted fractur e combined with compressive defects. Methods From July 1997 to February 2005, 43 cases of comminuted acetabular fracture combined with compressive defect were t reated. 25 cases were obsolete, 16 fresh, and 2 malformed (90 days after injury) . 34 cases were complicated fractures with defects, and 9 simple fractures with defects. The defect volumes ranged from 3 to 9 cm3, averaging 4.5 cm3. They were treated with ATMFS (acetabular tridimensional memory fixation system) to fixate the comminuted bone fragments tridimensionally. The modified acetabular approac h, reduction of acetabular comminuted articular face, anatomical reconstruction of posterior wall of acetabulum with autogenous ilium, autogenous and artificial bone implantation and bone wax isolation were used. The follow-ups lasted from 5 to 86 months, averaging 15.7 months. Results 31 cases achieved anatomical red uction by filling up the compressive defects. 12 cases were treated by anatomica l reconstruction of posterior wall. On average, 5.3 months after operation, the injured hip joint was as good as the healthy one in 40 cases. Ischemia necrosis of femoral head occurred in 1 case, and 2 cases experienced heterotopic ossifica tion with ischemia necrosis of femoral head which led to osseous fusion of hip j oint. Conclusion The new methods for treatment of acetabular fractures with comp ressive defects elevate the reduction rate of acetabulum and femoral head, and a re effective for the functional recovery of hip joint.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential expression of circRNAs in human blood, as a diagnostic marker for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus( T2DM). Methods Microarray analysis was used to select several differentially expressed circRNAs from three normal patients and three T2DM patients. Enlarge the sample size(normal controls,n=20;subjects with impaired glucose regulation,n=20;and type 2 diabetes mellitus,n=20) to determine a circRNA which the most evident differentially expressed by fluorescence quantitative PCR( Q-PCR). Then they were verified with expanded samples ( normal controls, n= 50; impaired glucose regulations,n=50;type 2 diabetes mellitus, n=50) by Q-PCR. Results A total of 2 953 differentially expressed circRNAs were found in microarray analysis, of which 1 439 were up-regulated and 1 514 were down-regulated. Nine differentially expressed circRNAs were selected from the 1 439 circRNAs that were up-regulated(hsa-circ-103838, hsa-circ-103965, hsa-circ-104227, hsa-circ-002117, hsa-circ-000094, hsa-circ-101226, hsa-circ-101720, hsa-circ-400029, and hsa-circ-100633). The Q-PCR results of the expanded sample( n=60) showed that the difference expression of hsa-circ-000094(Alias:has-circ-0000247) in the nine circRNAs was the most obvious one among the 3 groups, the area under the maximum curve was found by ROC curve analysis, SIGR=0. 802 5[ 95% confidence interval (0.665 5-0.939 5), P=0.001]; ST2DM=0.77[95% confidence interval (0.624-0.916), P=0.003]. In order to verify the clinical diagnostic ability of hsa-circ-000094, the experiment was conducted to further expand the sample ( n=150). The results showed that the expression of hsa-circ-000094 in the three groups was different, the difference and ROC curve analysis were statistically significant, SIGR=0. 673 3 [ 95% confidence interval (0.575 7-0. 771 0), P＜0. 01]; ST2DM=0. 723 1 [ 95% confidence interval ( 0. 632 7-0. 813 4), P＜ 0.01]. Conclusion The higher expression of hsa-circ-000094 in peripheral blood provides a certain diagnostic basis for pre-diabetes as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective:To analyze the pathogenicity and clinical characteristics of patients with Cohen syndrome caused by a compound heterozygous variation of VPS13B gene. Methods:A pedigree investigation was conducted.A Chinese Han family with Cohen syndrome was recruited from Henan Eye Hospital in September 2021.There were three members of two generations in this family, including one patient.The clinical data of the proband and his parents were collected, and the relevant ophthalmic and general examinations were performed to evaluate the clinical phenotype.The peripheral venous blood samples of the family members were collected to extract whole genomic DNA, and the whole exome sequencing was performed.Sanger sequencing and pedigree co-segregation analysis were performed among the family members.According to the ACMG guidelines, the pathogenicity of the selected variants was evaluated and the online tools were used to predict the pathogenicity of the variants.Relevant literature of Cohen syndrome were retrieved in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases by taking Cohen syndrome and VPS13B gene as the searching keywords.The clinical manifestations and pathogenic variants of patients in the literature were summarized, and the relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype was analyzed.This study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2019[15]). Both the subject and the patient's guardian were aware of the study purpose and method.Written informed consent was obtained. Results:The family was consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance.The proband, a 5-year-old male, had bilateral night blindness with photophobia, ptosis, lower eyelid entropion, and trichiasis; high myopia in both eyes; osteoblastoid pigmentation in the peripheral retina, atrophy and thinning of the outer layer of the peripheral retina, extinguished flashing electroretinogram; global growth retardation, typical facial features, slender fingers and toes, flatfoot, foot valgus, dystonia, no cardiac abnormalities; excessively cheerful personality.The clinical manifestations of the proband were consistent with Cohen syndrome.No obvious abnormality was found in the clinical phenotype and the auxiliary examination of the proband's parents.Whole exon sequencing revealed that the proband carried two heterozygous variations, a nonsense variation c. 11713C>T(p.Gln3905*) and a splicing variation c. 6940+ 1G>T.Sanger sequencing confirmed that the above variations were co-segregated in this family.c.11713C>T(p.Gln3905*) was a novel variant, which prematurely terminated the protein encoded by it and affected the normal function of the protein.The two variations were pathogenic variants according to the ACMG guidelines.A total of 12 articles on variants and clinical characteristics of Cohen syndrome in China were retrieved.Combined with the results of this study, a total of 24 VPS13B variants were found in Chinese patients, of which the incidence of frameshift variation was 41.7%(10/24), missense variation 20.8%(5/24), splicing variation 20.8%(5/24) and nonsense variation 16.7%(4/24), respectively.The onset age of patients with Cohen syndrome was from 28 days to 12 years old.The symptoms such as nerve system, eye, brain, and bone were sporadic, and the clinical manifestations were highly heterogeneous. Conclusions:A novel pathogenic variation c. 11713C>T is found in the VPS13B gene of the Cohen syndrome pedigree in this study, and expands the pathogenic variation spectrum of the VPS13B gene.The clinical manifestations of Cohen syndrome are highly heterogeneous.