OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic testing and clinical phenotypic characterization on a four-generation Chinese pedigree affected with Stickler syndrome type I and explore its genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS: A child presented at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in February 2023 for micrognathia, glossoptosis and cleft palate and his family members were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data were collected from the affected members, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 17 participants (including 4 patients and 13 asymptomatic individuals). Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Genotype-phenotype correlation was analyzed by integrating the sequencing data with evidence from existing literature. This study has bee granted by the Ethics Committee of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (Ethics No.: 2022-406B00). RESULTS: The four-generation pedigree has comprised 19 members. In addition to the proband, 5 affected individuals had manifested with high myopia, congenital cataracts, and progressive vision loss. Two deceased members reportedly exhibited similar ocular manifestations. Among the four living patients, two had developed retinal detachment, while two others presented with chronic joint pain onset between 35 ~ 40 years of age. One patient required hip replacement surgery at age 42 secondary to femoral head necrosis. The proband, the youngest affected member, exhibited characteristic phenotypes including congenital micrognathia and cleft palate, consistent with Pierre-Robin syndrome. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous nonsense mutation in COL2A1 (NM_001844.5: c.2668C>T; p.Gln890Ter) segregating with the disease in all four symptomatic patients. This variant was absent in asymptomatic family members and unaffected controls. While the mutation is listed in ClinVar, no clinical case report has associated it with this phenotypic spectrum. It was not recorded in population databases (gnomAD v4.1.0, 1000 Genomes Project, or ExAC), supporting its potential pathogenicity. CONCLUSION This study has diagnosed a four-generation Chinese pedigree with Stickler syndrome type I attributed to the pathogenic COL2A1 variant c.2668C>T (p.Gln890Ter), which is a rare nonsense mutation associated with ocular predominance and variable skeletal involvement. Notably, this family exhibited marked clinical heterogeneity despite sharing the identical genotype, which highlighted the challenges in phenotype-genotype correlation. The autosomal dominant transmission pattern observed in this pedigree has provided critical insights into COL2A1-related collagenopathies and underscored the necessity of ultrasonographic monitoring for ocular anomalies during prenatal diagnosis. Above findings have advanced our understanding of the pleiotropic effects in type Ⅱ collagen disorders and laid the foundation for precision-based genetic counseling, enabling targeted cascade screening and implementation of tertiary prevention strategies against congenital disabilities for high-risk families.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis/genetics* ; Collagen Type II/genetics* ; Connective Tissue Diseases/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Retinal Detachment/genetics* ; East Asian People/genetics*

Objective:To investigate genetic variation profiles of δ-globin (HBD gene) and hematological phenotypes in Guangdong population.Methods:Retrospective case analysis was performed in this study. Blood samples of 11 616 couples who participated in free thalassemia screening in Guangzhou from July 2020 to December 2022 were collected which underwent blood routine tests and hemoglobin (Hb) capillary electrophoresis. According to the results, 154 samples were enrolled in this study: (1)group of 35 cases with HbA 2 <2.0% but no HbF band; (2)group of 64 cases with HbA 2 < 2.0% and HbF band; (3)group of 25 cases with HbA 2 <2.0% and suspected HbA 2 variants; (4) group of 25 cases with HbA 2 ≥2.0% and <3.5% and HbF band, as well as abnormal blood routine report [mean corpuscular volume (MCV) <82 fl and/or mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) <27 pg]; (5)group of 5 cases with HbA 2 ≥2.0% and <3.0% accompanied with β thalassemia gene carriers Sanger sequencing was used to detect single nucleotide variants of δ-globin. Results:(1) A total of 22 genetic variations were detected, including 6 de novo variations, and the top 3 genetic variations were respectively c.-127T>C (57.02%, 65/114), c.-80T>C (9.65%, 11/114), c.349C>T (7.89%, 9/114). (2) In group of patients with HbA 2 <2.0% but no HbF band, 22 cases (62.85%, 22/35) had HBD gene variation, including 7 cases with MCV and MCH lower than reference values, 4 cases with α thalassemia; 13 cases had no HBD gene variation, including 12 cases with lower MCV and MCH. Among 19 cases with abnormal blood routine test results, levels of HbA 2 in patients (7 cases) with HBD gene variation were lower compared with those without HBD gene variation (12 cases) ( P<0.01%). (3)In group of patients with HbA 2<2.0% with HbF band, 59 cases (92.18%, 59/64) had HBD gene variations whose mutations all occurred in promoter region, and the HbF were all lower than 5.0%; 5 cases with HbF >5.0% had no HBD gene variation. (4) In group of patients with HbA 2 <2.0% and suspected HbA 2 variants, the detection rate was 100% (25/25) and δ-globin variants <1.0%. (5) In group of patients with HbA 2 ≥2.0% and <3.5% and HbF band accompanied with abnormal blood routine results, no HBD gene variation was found. (6) In group of 5 patients with HbA 2 ≥2.0% and <3.0% with β thalassemia gene carriers, HBD gene variation were found in all cases, and the level of HbA 2 was (2.62±0.17)% and HbF was (3.62±2.22)%. Conclusions:There are various genotypes of HBD gene variation, among which HBD: c.-127T>C is the most common in Guangdong population in China. Mutations in the promoter region may cause decrease in HbA 2 and increase in HbF which is mostly less than 5% but exceeds 5.0% when combined with β thalassemia. Our study enriched the gene mutation profiles of HBD gene in Guangdong population.

Objective:To explore the symptom experience of patients with acute coronary syndrome before diagnosis, in order to improve their early recognition ability, timely medical treatment rate and formulate relevant measures to provide reference.Methods:Semi-structured interview was performed in 18 patients with acute coronary syndrome from August 12 2020 to September 8 in Shanxi Provincial people′s Hospital using phenomenological research, and the data were analyzed under the guidance of symptom experience model.Results:A total of four themes were summarized: symptom perception: diseases being easily predicted, symptom experiences being diverse and diseases being easily overlooked; symptom evaluation: correct evaluation and evaluation bias; symptom response: self-response and family-society support; reflection on the process of symptom experience:medical behaviour and lack of awareness of disease.Conclusions:At present, the identification of acutecoronary syndrome is still a challenge. Patients should enrich relevant knowledge, pay attention to their own symptom experience, make the correct evaluation and deal with it effectively. Medical workers should carry out relevant education to improve the ability of patients to identify diseases.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the qualitative study of the real experience of patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers and to deeply understand the real feelings and physical and mental experience of patients and caregivers.Methods:Databases were searched including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and CBM from inception to September 30th, 2019. To collect the qualitative studies on the real experience of patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the included literature was determined, the literature was evaluated according to the quality evaluation criteria of qualitative research of the JBI Evidence-based Health Care Center, and the results were integrated using a collective integration method.Results:A total of 11 studies were included and 37 results were extracted. Based on the quality of life theory, the topics extracted are as follows: patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers experienced dynamic cycle of change and challenge, coping and adaptation, demand and support in the domain of health and function, psychology/spiritual, socioeconomic and family.Conclusions:The four domains of quality of life of patients and caregivers were affected during enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy. In particular, patients and caregivers showed strong inner and information needs in the psychological/spiritual and socioeconomic domain. It is suggested that medical staff should provide effective psychological, emotional and information support in disease treatment and nursing, in order to improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.

Early-onset epilepsy is a neurological abnormality in childhood, and it is especially common in the first 2 years after birth. Seizures in early life mostly result from structural or metabolic disorders in the brain, and the genetic causes of idiopathic seizures have been extensively investigated. In this study, we identified four missense mutations in the SETD1A gene (SET domain-containing 1A, histone lysine methyltransferase): three de novo mutations in three individuals and one inherited mutation in a four-generation family. Whole-exome sequencing indicated that all four of these mutations were responsible for the seizures. Mutations of SETD1A have been implicated in schizophrenia and developmental disorders, so we examined the role of the four mutations (R913C, Q269R, G1369R, and R1392H) in neural development. We found that their expression in mouse primary cortical neurons affected excitatory synapse development. Moreover, expression of the R913C mutation also affected the migration of cortical neurons in the mouse brain. We further identified two common genes (Neurl4 and Usp39) affected by mutations of SETD1A. These results suggested that the mutations of SETD1A play a fundamental role in abnormal synaptic function and the development of neurons, so they may be pathogenic factors for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Angelica dahurica is diaphoretic, commonly used in the treatment of cold, wet, and itchy rubella nasosinusitis. Studies have shown that the effective components of Angelica dahurica can be used in the treatment of malignant tumors. This paper summarizes the related literature home and abroad recently, and regards the effective components of Angelica dahurica as a major role in treatment of tumor by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis, inhibiting platelet aggregation, enhancing immunity, and anti-tumor drug resistance. Meanwhile, the paper finds the shortcomings of the present researches, and hopes to provide reference for the future experiment and clinical research.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of Erqi Decoction(EQD; mainly composed of Radix Aristolochiae Kaempferi, Radix Rhizoma Seu Flos Cypripedii, Cortex Fraxini, Cortex Phellodendri, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) on the intestinal tract in rats with acute radiation intestinal injury and its mechanism. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, EQD group and Baitouweng Decoction group (BD group), 15 rats in each group. The acute radiation enteritis model was established by exposing the whole abdomen to a total dose of 10 Gy of 6 MV higher-energy X-rays. EQD group and BD group were given intragastrical administration with corresponding medicine of EQD at the dose of 8.85 g·kg-1·d-1, BD at the dose of 4.69 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively, and the normal group and the model group were given intragastrical administration with the same volume of normal saline. The treatment lasted for 7 continuous days. After modeling, the morphological change of the proximal ileum tissue was observed under light microscope. Villus height, crypt depth, and thickness of the ileal mucosa and entire wall were measured by image analysis system. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) content in ileum tissue was determined by spectrophotometer, and the expression levels of caspase -3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ileum tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results EQD group and BD group had milder injuries of the ileal structure, and had higher villus height, crypt depth, and thickness of mucosa and entire wall than those in the model group (P <0.05), but there were no differences between the two medication groups(P > 0.05). MPO content in EQD group and BD group was decreased(P<0.05 compared with that in the model group), and MPO content in EQD group was lower than that in BD group. The expression levels of caspase-3 and PCNA were increased in EQD group and BD group(P < 0.05 compared with those in the model group), but there were no statistical differences between the two medication groups (P>0.05). Conclusion EQD has certain protective effects against radiation-induced intestinal damage, which mechanism is probably associated with relieving the local intestinal inflammatory reaction, accelerating intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, and inhibiting intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and management of functional pancreatic endocrine tumor.Methods Clinical data of 19 cases of functional pancreatic endocrine tumor were retrospectively analyzed.Results 15 cases of insulinoma,2 cases of gastrinoma and 2 cases of glucagonoma were qualitatively diagnosed.The positive rate of preoperative diagosis for type B ultrasonic inspection,CT,MRI,EUS,selective portovenous sampling and intraoperative type B ultrasonic inspection was 15.8％ (3/19),67.5％ (10/16),71.4％ (5/7),87.5％ (7/8),100％(2/2) and 85.7％(6/7) respectively.Of the total 19 cases,7 cases underwent open surgery,11 cases unde rwent laparoscopic surgery,and one case didn't undergo any surgery as liver metastasis had occurred when glucagonoma was diagnosed.The operation methods included tumor enucleation (n=13),distal pancreatic resection (n=3),distal pancreatic resection plus splenectomy (n=1),and pancreatic head resection with duodenum preserved (n=1).Conclusions The measurement of serum insulin,gastrin and glucagon is the main basis for qualitative diagonosis of pancreatic endocrine tumor.Two stage spinal CT thin scanning is the main method for tumor location.Intraoperative type B ultrasonic inspection is the supplement to preoperative location.Tumor enucleation is the main choice of treatment.

Ethyl (R)-3-hydroxy-5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-pentanoate is a potential intermediate for the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) that can lower the cholesterol level in human blood. In this study, in order to synthesize ethyl (R)-3-hydroxy-5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-pentanoate by bioreduction, the yeast strains in our lab were screened. Ethyl (R)-3-hydroxy-5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-pentanoate was found to be produced efficiently from ethyl 5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-oxopentanoate by Pichia pastoris X-33. The effects of initial substrate concentration, reaction time, co-substrate, amount of yeast cells, pH, as well as the temperature on the yield and enantiomeric excesses (e.e. value) of product were examined in mono-phase system. The optimal reaction conditions are as fallows: substrate concentration 7 g/L, cell concentration 120 g/L, glucose concentration 120 g/L, pH 6.5, temperature 35 degrees C, reaction time 12 h, and the yield 93.12% with the high e.e. value of 98.55%.
Anticholesteremic Agents ; metabolism ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Catalysis ; Enzymes ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Heptanoic Acids ; metabolism ; Isoindoles ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Pentanoic Acids ; metabolism ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; metabolism ; Stereoisomerism

AIM: To develop a rapid HPLC method for quality control of traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients consisted of citrus flavonoids, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, sinensetin and nobiletin. METHODS:Gradient elution with non-salt mobile phase ( methanol and water only) HPLC method on a Kromasil column ( 100-5C18-250A, 4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5 μm, C18 reverse phase) with peaks identification through DAD full UV wavelength scan. UV 284 nm and 332 nm profiles were observed. RESULTS: Satisfactory resolution, linearity, 95%～ 102% of recovery and 1.88 ～ 2.93% of repeatability were obtained for those five citrus flavonoids. Content of 6 Citrus aurantium L. based TCM ingredients were analyzed and identified. CONCLUSION: Rapid HPLC test method on citrus flavonoids was developed and can be in LC-MS identification.