Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

Objective: To screen for hotspot gene mutations associated with genetic deafness in Chinese pregnant women, and to perform risk assessment and prenatal diagnosis in high-risk families. Methods: Between November 2012 and October 2017, 26 117 pregnant women were screened by molecular hybridization microarray for 9 hot-spot mutations in 4 hereditary deafness related genes (GJB2 c. 35 del G, c. 176_191 del 16 bp, c. 235 del G, c. 299_300 del AT, GJB3 c. 538 C>T, SLC26A4 c. 2168 A>G, IVS 7-2 A>G, mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA m. 1494 C>T, m. 1555 A>G). Genotype analysis was carried out in husbands of women carrying mutations, and prenatal diagnosis was carried out in the fetuses with high risk of deafness. Results: Among all women tested, 1 208(4.63%) were carriers of genetic deafness mutations, 7 with hearing impairment were affected by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations, 51 were mitochondrial gene mutation carriers, 103 were carriers of GJB3 c. 538 C>T heterozygous mutation, 1 026 were carriers of GJB2 or SLC26A4 heterozygous mutations, and 21 carried heterozygous mutations in two genes simultaneously. In 394 families, the husbands accepted gene sequence testing, and 27 in which were determined as carriers of mutations in identical genes as their wives. Among which, 18 families received prenatal diagnosis, and 5 fetuses were diagnosed as hereditary deafness. In 9 families who did not receive prenatal diagnosis, 1 neonate was diagnosed as compound heterozygote after delivery. Conclusion In order to prevent birth defects with congenital hearing problems, it is effective to provide screening for hotspot mutations in pregnant women and to perform prenatal diagnosis on high risk pregnancies.

Objective To determine the audiological characteristics in 832 deaf children with biallelic causative mutations in GJB2 ,SLC26A4 gene .Methods The 832 patients received deafness gene screening ,553 were GJB2 gene biallelic causative mutations ,279 were SLC26A4 gene biallelic causative mutations .Patients were divided into four groups according to ages of hearing loss onset :<1 ,1~3 ,3~6 ,6~12 years old ,and the audiological character-istics and prevalence of GJB2 ,SLC26A4 gene mutations at different ages of onset .Results The prevalence of GJB2 gene mutations at four groups was 37 .97% (210/553) ,38 .34% (212/553) ,16 .27% (90/553) ,7 .41% (41/553) ,re-spectively ;the prevalence of SLC26A4 gene mutations at four groups was 25 .45% (71/279) ,44 .80% (125/279) , 20 .07% (56/279) ,9 .67% (27/279) ,respectively .The difference between GJB2 and SLC26A4 gene was significant(P=0 .001) .The prevalence of profound hearing loss with GJB2 gene mutations at four groups were 66 .67% (140/210) ,61 .32% (130/212) ,47 .78% (43/90) ,41 .46% (17/41) ,respectively .The difference was significant (P=0 .004) ,while the difference in 279 patients with SLC26A4 gene mutations was not statistically significant (P= 0 . 083) .Conclusion The age of hearing loss onset in patients with biallelic causative mutations in GJB 2 or SLC26A4 gene refers to 0~3 years -old ,hearing loss in patients with GJB2 ,SLC26A4 gene mutations gives priority to pro-found .The age of hearing loss onset is smaller ,the ratio of profound hearing loss is higher .Patients with severe and profound hearing impairment should be performed the genetic testing when the age of onset under 12 .

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the curative effect of CI in children with GJB2-associated NSSNHL. METHOD: The evaluations of curative effect with CI include auditory threshold, IT-MAIS/MAIS, CAP, SIR. MESP. The outcomes of 40 cases with GJB2-associated NSSNHI, were compared 80 patients with negative results of screening of gene mutation (control group). RESULT: In comparison with control group the auditory threshold in children with GJB2-associated NSSNIL is better, however had no significant difference in other tests (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION CI could he performed on children with GJB2-associated NSSNHL. Postoperative outcomes of hearing and speech were satisfied.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the positive rate of common genetic mutations in Chinese non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss groups with different hearing phenotype. METHOD: One thousand four hundred and forty-eight subjects with hearing test results received at least one of three genetic testings including: mutations in coding region of GJB2 and SLC26A4 with sequencing analysis and mitochondrial DNA C1494T/A1555G with microarray detection. Of 1448 subjects, 1333 have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, 65 have unilateral hearing loss and 50 have normal hearing threshold even though they have high frequency hearing loss or family history. The informed consent of each subject was achieved. RESULT: Mutation positive rate of GJB2, SLC26A4 and mtDNA C1494T/ A1555G of 1448 subjects were 19.23%, 27.55%, 0.1% and 1.72% respectively. The positive rate of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations in bilateral hearing loss group (20.22%, 29.17%) was statistically significantly higher than unilateral group (0, 0) (P < 0.01). In bilateral hearing loss group, the positive rate of GJB2 mutations was highest in the profound group (24.67%), and then severe (22.33%), moderate (14.33%) and mild group (6.58%) (P < 0.01). The positive rate of SLC26A4 mutations was highest in the severe group (48.67%), and then profound (28.42%), moderate (21.16%) and mild (8.93%) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The positive rate of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations is high in the groups with bilateral profound and severe sensorineural hearing loss, whose genetic testing should be put emphasis on. However, the genetic testing should be performed in patients with mild to moderate hearing impairment as well if necessary.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Audiometry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, High-Frequency ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, Unilateral ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Sulfate Transporters ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of an A-to-G mutation at nucleotide 1555 of the mitochondrial genome in patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) of northwest region of China. METHOD: A standardized program of epidemiological design, administrative support, sample collection and mutation screening for mtDNA 12SrRNA A1555G were used performed to study the general condition and the molecular etiology of patients with severe to profound hearing loss from 5 provinces of northwest region of China. RESULT: Five-hundred-seventy-three cases with severe profound hearing loss from 5 provinces were collected and 31 cases were found to carry mtDNA 12SrRNA A1555G mutation. CONCLUSION Among the patients with severe to profound hearing loss from 5 provinces of northwest region, there was a high proportion of hereditary hearing impairment caused by mtDNA 12SrRNA A1555G mutation. Screening and testing for this mutation are effective methods to prevent ototoxicity in A1555G carriers and their maternal family members.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Young Adult

T,and 916-917 ins G were SLC26A4 mutations unreported hitherto, which may be specific to the Chinese population. CONCLUSION The EVA syndrome is a typical autosomal recessivehereditary disease caused by mutations in SLC26A4 gene. Genetic testing of SLC26A4 is the one of the important diagnostic methods for EVA syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the genetic causes of deaf patients in a special educational school of Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia by SLC26A4 whole gene sequencing. This study focused on analyzing mutations of coding sequence of SLC26A4 gene and their relevant phenotype. METHODS DNA were extracted from peripheral blood of 134 deaf patients of Chifeng special educational school and 100 normal hearing controls in Northern China. SLC26A4 gene mutation was analyzed by direct sequencing for its 20 coding exons. All individuals found with SLC26A4 mutation were given temporal bone CT scan, and those with confirmed enlarged vestibular aqueduct and/or other malformation of inner ear were then given further ultrasound scan of thyroid and thyroid hormone assays. RESULTS The sequencing results revealed 32 cases carried SLC26A4 mutation. Twenty-nine cases underwent temporal bone CT scan. Twentycases were confirmed to have malformation of inner ear by CT scan (eighteen were EVA, one was EVA and other inner ear malformation and one was Mondini Syndrome). The shape and function of thyroid were confirmed to be normal by ultrasound scan of thyroid and thyroid hormone assays in nineteen of these 20 patients except one who had cystoid change in the right side of thyroid. Twelve types of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene were found. CONCLUSION Byscreening SLC26A4 gene coupled with temporal bone CT scan ,we could determine genetic cause related to this gene up to 14.93 % of deaf patients in special educational school of Chifeng city. SLC26A4 is another common gene besides GJB2 that cause deafness in this area. The discovery of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene makes the mutational and polymorphic spectrum more plentiful in Chinese population.