Objective To investigate the role of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells(RPMCs). Methods RPMCs were harvested from the peritoneum of male Sprague-Dawley rats, then cultured in DMEM/F12 medium with 15% (V/V) FBS. After stimulation with TGF-β1, the expression of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), E-cadherin and collagen I were detected in RPMCs. In some groups, the ceils were pretreated with SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK, for 4 hours before incubation with TGF-β1. The protein expression of phosphorylated JNK was detected by Western blotting. The mRNA and protein expression ofα-SMA, E-cadherin and collagen I were examined with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.The intracellular distribution and expression of α-SMA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. Results TGF-β1 could significantly increase the expression of α-SMA and collagen I, and decrease the expression of E-cadherin in RPMCs. TGF-α1 could stimulate the expression of phosphorylated JNK at 5 minutes with the peak at 10 minutes (P<0.01). The addition of SP600125 effectively inhibited TGF-β1-induced high expression of α-SMA and collagen I (P<0.05), and prevented TGF-β1-induced down-regulation of E-cadherin expression in RPMCs (P<0.05). The indirect immunofluorescence showed that the expression of intracellular α-SMA in RPMCs stimulated by TGF-β1 for 48 h increased significantly, which could be inhibited by SP600125. Conclusions JNK regulates epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-β1 in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells. JNK inhibitor may be used as a novel therapeutic agent for peritoneal fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism by which PPARγ ligand, rosiglitasone, regulates the expression of CD40 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in the rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods RPMCs were harvested from Sprague-Dawley rat peritoneal cavity and maintained under defined in vitro conditions. The cells were randomly divided into groups as follows: medium, LPS (5 mg/L), LPS (5 mg/L)+BAY11-7085(5 μmol/L, NF-κB inhibitor), rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L or 20 μmol/L, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ activator), LPS (5 mg/L)+rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L)+GW9662 (3 μmol/L, peroxisome proliferator-aetivatcd receptor γ antagonist), and LPS (5 mg/L)+vehicle (DMSO 0.2 ml/L). The expressions of CD40 and ICAM-1 RNA in RPMCs were examined by RT-PCR after 3 hour treatment, and the protein expressions of CD40, ICAM-1, p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα were examined by Western blot or immunofluorescence after 24 hour treatment. Results Following treatment with LPS, both the expressions of CD40 and ICAM-1 protein in RPMCs were up-regulated significantly (P<0.05), and the phosphoralation of p65 was increased greatly (1.10±0.17 vs 0.55±0.06, P<0.05). BAY11-7085 (5 μmol/L) significantly decreased the protein expression of p-p65 (0.22±0.11 vs 1.10±0.17, P<0.01), CD40 (0.34±0.02 vs 0.50±0.06, P<0.05) and ICAM-1 (0.35±0.16 vs 0.74±0.03, P<0.05). Pretreated with rosiglitazone for 3 h then added with LPS for 1 h, the levels of p-p65, CD40 and ICAM-1 in RPMCs were significantly decreased compared with those of LPS group (0.77±0.08 vs 0.90±0.10, P

Objective To perform prenatal diagnosis for a fetus with hydrocephalus and congenital heart disease by whole exome se-quencing ( WES) , and then provide genetic counseling for the next pregnancy. Methods DNAs from amniotic fluid cells of the fetus and peripheral blood of his/her parents were extracted, respectively, and then performed WES. After the process of library construc-tion, hybrid capture and sequencing, the obtained data were compared with the database from human genome and literatures and ana-lyzed by software. The pathogenic mutations were searched based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics ( ACMG, 2015) guideline and verified by the Sanger sequencing. Results The WES results found that the compound heterozygous mutations ex-isted in POMT1 gene of the fetus, which were inherited from the splice site mutation c.605+1G>A( IVS7) of his/her mother and the frameshift mutation c.1367 c.1368 ( exon 15) insGA, p. L456Lfs?80 of his/her father, respectively. The Sanger sequencing results were consistent with that of WES. The fetus was affected by Walker-Warburg syndrome, and his/her parents decided to terminate the pregnancy finally. Conclusion The WES may diagnose Walker-Warburg syndrome rapidly and accurately, which may play an impor-tant role in clinical management and genetic counseling.

OBJECTIVETo analyze two fetuses with multiple malformations revealed by ultrasonography using single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array), and to explore the strategy for the prenatal diagnosis of 1p36 deletion syndrome.

METHODSAmniocentesis was performed on the two pregnant women. Amnion fluid cells were cultured, and karyotypes of the fetuses were determined through G-banding analysis. Whole genome SNP array was used to detect genomic anomalies of the two fetuses. The karyotypes of their parents were determined through G-banding analysis of peripheral venous blood samples.

RESULTSG-banding analysis showed a 46,XY,add(1p36)? and a 46,XX,add(1p36)? karyotype for fetuses 1 and 2, respectively. SNP array analysis showed that the fetus 1 had arr[19]1p36.33p36.32 (752 566 - 3 393 462)×1 and 7q35q36.3 (144 480 549 - 159 119 486)×3, and fetus 2 had arr[19]1p36.33p36.23 (752 566 - 8 362 754)×1, 6p25.3p22.3 (204 909 - 20 182 185)×3. The mother of fetus 1 had a 46,XX,t(1;7)(p36;q35) karyotype, and the mother of fetus 2 had a 46,XX,t(1;6)(p36;p22) karyotype. The karyotypes of both fathers appeared to be normal.

CONCLUSIONSNP array has the advantages such as high sensitivity and high accuracy for prenatal diagnosis, and can provide more detailed information for genetic counseling of 1p36 deletion syndrome.

Adult ; Amniocentesis ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of Jianpi Huoxue Jiedu recipe on upper limb edema of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation, blood stasis and toxin internal knot type after modified radical surgery for breast cancer.Methods:From January 2020 to May 2022, a total of 60 patients with upper limb edema of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation, blood stasis and toxin internal knot type after modified radical surgery for breast cancer were selected and treated in Longyan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Xiamen University. They were divided into control group and observation group according to random number table, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine western medicine comprehensive swelling reduction surgery, while the observation group was treated with a combination of Jianpi Huoxue Jiedu recipe (1 dose/day, warmly-taken in the morning and evening) for one month on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, edema diameter, breast cancer quality of life scale (FACT), and joint range of motion were compared between the two groups after treatment.Results:After one month of treatment, the total clinical effective rate of the observation group (93.33%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (70.00%, P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores (upper limb swelling, pain, fullness, sense of restraint, skin keratinization, itching, heaviness, stuffiness, and fatigue) of both groups of patients decreased compared to those before treatment, and the observation group was lower than the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the diameter of edema in the affected limbs was significantly reduced in both groups of patients, and the diameter of 10 cm above the wrist and elbow stripes in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the FACT scores of the two groups of patients significantly decreased, and the FACT scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the joint activity of the two groups of patients significantly increased, and the joint activity of the observation group was greater than that of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical efficacy of Jianpi Huoxue Jiedu recipe combined with western medicine in treating upper limb edema of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation, blood stasis and toxin accumulation type after modified radical operation of breast cancer is better than that of western medicine alone. It can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, signs, quality of life, and joint mobility of upper limbs of patients, and reduce upper limb edema.

OBJECTIVETo develop and validate a method for mutation screening and prenatal diagnosis of TSC1/TSC2 mutations among patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) by Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing.

METHODSPotential mutations of SC1/TSC2 gene was detected in 2 TSC families and 1 sporadic TSC patient using an Ion Torrent PGM sequencer. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The corresponding site of TSC2 in the fetus of family 2 was also detected with Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSIon Torrent semiconductor sequencing has identified a probably pathogenic TSC2 mutation (c.311-312insGCTG) in the patient from family 1, and a probably pathogenic TSC2 mutation (c.1790A>G) in the patient of family 2.

CONCLUSIONTargeted Ion Torrent PGM sequencing is an accurate and efficient method to detect TSC1/TSC2 mutations in TSC.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult