BACKGROUND: Periventricular leukomalacia is a major syndrome of premature infant brain injury, which has been not prevented and cured yet. Theoretically, neural stem cells which were transplanted into white matter with an absence of oligodendroglial cells might be an ideal method to cure periventricular leukomalacia. OBJECTIVE: To prepare the multi-lineage potential of neural stem cells for the use of intraventricular transplantation. METHODS: Cerebral cortex was obtained from 12-14-day fetal rats and sectioned into 1.0-mm~3 sections. The single cell suspension was separated and purified. The neurospheres were incubated with DMEM/F12 culture medium containing fetal bovine serum to observe primary and passage culture of neural stem cells. The differentiation of neural stem cells was determined using immunohistochemical method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The viability of cultured neural stem cells was (94.3±2.2)%. The neurosphere was formed at day 3 after primary culture. The proliferation of neurosphere slowed down after 10-passage culture, and some cells became old. All neurospheres were positively Nestin-staining, thus they were considered as neural stem cells. A further incubation of 4-passage neurospheres, immunohistochemical method indicated that the neurosphere was positively GFAP, β-tublin, and O4 staining, respectively. This suggested that cultured neural stem cells are able to self-renew, proliferate, and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendroglial cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology for two Chinese families affected with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and normal number of antral follicles.

METHODSPeripheral venous blood samples were collected from the families for the extraction of genomic DNA. Mutations of FSHR and LHCGR genes were screened using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Suspected pathogenic mutations were verified in other members of the families. Bioinformatics software and NCBI were used to analyze the pathogenicity of the mutations.

RESULTSTwo previously unreported homozygous mutations, c.419delA and c.1510C>T of the FSHR gene were found in the probands of family I and II, respectively. Pedigree and bioinformatics analysis suggested that both mutations were pathogenic. Literature review suggested that both families were affected with resistant ovary syndrome rather than premature ovarian failure.

CONCLUSIONTwo novel mutations of the FSHR gene have been identified, which have enriched the spectrum of FSHR gene mutations and provided a basis for genetic counseling and direction for reproduction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Ovarian Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carrier rate for 21 inherited metabolic diseases among a Chinese population of childbearing age. METHODS: A total of 897 unrelated healthy individuals (including 143 couples) were recruited, and DNA was extracted from their peripheral blood samples. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variants among 54 genes associated with 21 inherited metabolic diseases. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants and unreported loss-of-function variants were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred fourty types of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (with an overall number of 183) and unreported loss-of-function variants were detected, which yield a frequency of 0.20 per capita. A husband and wife were both found to carry pathogenic variants of the SLC25A13 gene and have given birth to a healthy baby with the aid of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The detected variants have involved 40 genes, with the most common ones including ATP7B, SLC25A13, PAH, CBS and MMACHC. Based on the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the incidence of the 21 inherited metabolic diseases in the population was approximately 1/1100, with the five diseases with higher incidence including citrullinemia, methylmalonic acidemia, Wilson disease, glycogen storage disease, and phenylketonuria. CONCLUSION This study has preliminarily determined the carrier rate and incidence of 21 inherited metabolic diseases among a Chinese population of childbearing age, which has provided valuable information for the design of neonatal screening program for inherited metabolic diseases. Pre-conception carrier screening can provide an important measure for the prevention of transmission of Mendelian disorders in the population.
Asians/genetics* ; China ; Exome ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolic Diseases/genetics* ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Oxidoreductases/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology of three families affected with split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM).

METHODSPeripheral venous blood samples from 21 members of pedigree 1, 2 members of pedigree 2, and 2 members of pedigree 3 were collected. PCR-Sanger sequencing, microarray chip, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), real-time PCR, and next-generation sequencing were employed to screen the mutations in the 3 families. The effect of the identified mutations on the finger (toe) abnormality were also explored.

RESULTSMicroarray and real-time PCR analysis has identified a duplication in all patients from pedigrees 1 and 3, which have spanned FKSG40, TLX1, LBX1, BTRC, POLL and FBXW4 (exons 6-9) and LBX1, BTRC, POLL and FBXW4 (exons 6-9) genes, respectively. A missense mutation of the TP63 gene, namely c.692A>G (p.Tyr231Cys), was found in two patients from pedigree 2. FISH analysis of chromosome 10 showed that the rearrangement could fita tandem duplication model. However, next-generation sequencing did not identify the breakpoint.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic etiology for three families affected with SHFM have been identified, which has provideda basis for genetic counseling and guidance for reproduction.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 ; genetics ; Female ; Foot Deformities, Congenital ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Hand Deformities, Congenital ; genetics ; Humans ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; genetics ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo screen for FOXL2 gene mutations in 6 patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), and explore their genotype-phenotype correlation.

METHODSPeripheral venous blood samples were collected from the patients for the extraction of genomic DNA. PCR and Sanger sequencing were employed to analyze the coding region and flanking sequences of the FOXL2 gene. Pathogenicity of the identified mutations was verified through literature review and bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTSA heterozygous c.672_701dup30 mutation was found in the probands from the two familial cases, while three heterozygous mutations (two were novel), namely c.462_468del (p.Pro156Argfs*113), c.251T to A (p.Ile84Asn) and c.988_989insG (p.Ala330Glyfs*204) were detected in the three sporadic cases. Literature review and bioinformatic analysis indicated that all these mutations are pathogenic.

CONCLUSIONIdentification of causative mutations in the BPES patients has provided a basis for genetic counseling and reproductive guidance. The novel mutations have enriched the mutation spectrum of the FOXL2 gene.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Blepharophimosis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Skin Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Urogenital Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology for a premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patient from a consanguineous Chinese family, and to provide basis for genetic counseling and fertility counseling.Methods:Whole-exome sequencing was performed using DNA extracted from the blood sample of POI patient. Suspected pathogenic mutation was analyzed by bioinformatics methods and verified by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the variation was assessed according to the ACMG genetic variation classification criteria and guidelines.Results:A homozygous variation, c. 32G>T (p.G11V), of PSMC3IP was identified in the patient. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the variation was conserved in different animal species, and this variation was classified as possible pathogenic variation according to the ACMG genetic variation classification criteria and guidelines.Conclusions:The homozygous missense variation of PSMC3IP is the cause of the POI patient in this family. We are reporting for the first time the missense variation in PSMC3IP gene caused POI, which enriched the mutation spectrum of PSMC3IP and provided the basis for genetic counseling and fertility guidance of this family.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between Fragile X mental retardation gene-1 (FMR1) gene CGG repeats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). METHODS: For 214 females diagnosed with DOR, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. FMR1 gene CGG repeats were determined by PCR and capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS: Three DOR patients were found to carry FMR1 premutations, and one patient was found to carry gray zone FMR1 repeats. After genetic counseling, one patient and the sister of another patient, both carrying FMR1 permutations, conceived naturally. Prenatal diagnosis showed that both fetuses have carried FMR1 permutations. CONCLUSION FMR1 gene permutation may be associated with DOR. Determination of FMR1 gene CGG repeats in DOR patients can provide a basis for genetic counseling and guidance for reproduction.
Female ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein/metabolism* ; Fragile X Syndrome/genetics* ; Humans ; Ovarian Diseases ; Ovarian Reserve/genetics* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/genetics* ; Trinucleotide Repeats/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the (CGG)n repeats of FMR1 gene among patients with unexplained mental retardation. METHODS: For 201 patients with unexplained mental retardation, the (CGG)n repeats of the FMR1 gene were analyzed by PCR and FragilEase RESULTS: For the 201 patients with unexplained mental retardation, 15 were identified with full mutations of the FMR1 gene. The prevalence of fragile X syndrome (FXS) in patients with unexplained mental retardation was determined as 7.5% (15/201). Prenatal diagnosis was provided for 6 pregnant women with pre- or full mutations. Analysis revealed that women with mental retardation and full FMR1 mutations exhibited a skewed XCI pattern with primary expression of the X chromosome carrying the mutant allele. CONCLUSION FXS has a high incidence among patients with unexplained mental retardation. Analysis of FMR1 gene (CGG)n repeats in patients with unexplained mental retardation can facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for their families. FMR1 gene (CGG)n repeats screening should be recommended for patients with unexplained mental retardation.
Female ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein/genetics* ; Fragile X Syndrome/genetics* ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the genetic characteristics of 671 Chinese pedigrees affected with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). METHODS: Clinical data of the pedigrees were collected. Multiplex PCR, multiple ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA), next generation sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing and long read sequencing were used to detect the variant of DMD gene in the probands and their mothers, and prenatal diagnosis was provided for high risk pregnant women. RESULTS: Among 178 pedigrees analyzed by multiplex PCR, 44 variants of the DMD gene were detected, with the genetic diagnosis attained in 110 pedigrees. Among 493 pedigrees analyzed by MLPA in combination with NGS or Sanger sequencing, 294 pathogenic/possible pathogenic variants were identified, among which 45 were unreported previously, and the genetic diagnosis attained in 484 pedigrees. Structural variants of the DMD gene were identified in two pedigrees by long-read sequencing. Among 444 probands, 341 have inherited the DMD gene variant from their mothers (76.8%). Among 390 women with a high-risk, 339 have opted to have natural pregnancy and 51 chose preimplantation genetic testing for monogenetic disease (PGT-M). The detection rate of neonatal patients and carriers following natural pregnancy was significantly higher than that for PGT-M. CONCLUSION Combined application of MLPA, NGS, Sanger sequencing and long-read sequencing is an effective strategy to detect DMD/BMD. PGT-M can effectively reduce the risk of fetuses. Above finding has expanded the spectrum of DMD gene variants and provided a basis for reproductive intervention for pregnancies with a high risk for DMD/BMD.
China ; Dystrophin/genetics* ; Exons ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of hepatic lipids and metabolic stress-induced liver injury. There are currently no approved effective pharmacological treatments for NAFLD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat patients with chronic liver diseases without clear disease types and mechanisms. More recently, TCM has been shown to have unique advantages in the treatment of NAFLD. We performed a systematic review of the medical literature published over the last two decades and found that many TCM formulas have been reported to be beneficial for the treatment of metabolic dysfunctions, including Potentilla discolor Bunge (PDB). PDB has a variety of active compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, organic acids, steroids and tannins. Many compounds have been shown to exhibit a series of beneficial effects for the treatment of NAFLD, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions, improvement of lipid metabolism and reversal of insulin resistance. In this review, we summarize potential therapeutic effects of TCM formulas for the treatment of NAFLD, focusing on the medicinal properties of natural active compounds from PDB and their underlying mechanisms. We point out that PDB can be classified as a novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.