1.Qishao Capsules Improve Diabetic Renal Injury in db/db Mice by Inhibiting Podocyte Apoptosis via Regulating Caspase-8 and Caspase-3
Jingwei LIU ; Zhenhua WU ; Bing YANG ; Fengwen YANG ; Miao TAN ; Tingting LI ; Jinchuan TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):126-135
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Qishao capsules on renal injury in db/db mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD),and explore its mechanism of protecting the kidney by inhibiting podocyte apoptosis. Methodsdb/m mice (7 mice) were used as the normal group,and db/db mice (35 mice) were randomly divided into a model group,a dapagliflozin group (0.001 g·kg-1·d-1),and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qishao capsules (0.341 3,0.682 5,and 1.365 g·kg-1·d-1,respectively). Drug intervention lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After sampling,the serum renal function indicators [creatinine(SCr),and urea nitrogen(BUN)],fasting blood glucose (FBG),24 h urinary protein quantification (24 h-UTP), and other indicators of the mice were measured. The pathological tissue morphology of the kidney was observed by periodic acid-silver methenamine (PASM) and Masson's trichrome (Masson) staining. Immunohistochemical detection of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease (Caspase)-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was performed. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Caspase-8,Caspase-7,Caspase-3, and other molecules. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick End labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to observe apoptosis in renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of Wilms tumor suppressor gene-1
2.Serum nitric oxide synthase 4 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in patients with diabetic neovascular glaucoma and their clinical significance
Xiaomin LIU ; Jingfei BAN ; Jing LYU ; Wenwen LI ; Jingke LI ; Shunling YANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):103-108
AIM: To investigate and analyze serum nitric oxide synthase 4(NOX4)and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 expressions in patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)complicated with neovascular glaucoma(NVG)and their clinical significance.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 161 patients with DM complicated with NVG admitted to Handan City Eye Hospital(The Third Hospital of Handan)from June 2020 to June 2023. Based on whether complications occurred 1 a after trabeculectomy in the study group patients, they were divided into a group with good prognosis(n=90)and a group with poor prognosis(n=71). During the same period, 161 patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma without iris neovascularization were selected as the control group. ELISA method was applied to detect the expression levels of serum NOX4 and MMP-2. ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value and postoperative complication prediction value of NOX4 and MMP-2 in patients with DM complicated with NVG. Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation of NOX4 and MMP-2 with vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and interleukin-6(IL-6). Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative complications in the study group.RESULTS:The general information of the study group and control group of patients is comparable. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of serum NOX4, MMP-2, VEGF, and IL-6 in the study group were significantly increased(P<0.001). According to Pearson analysis, serum NOX4 and MMP-2 levels significantly positively correlated with VEGF and IL-6 levels, respectively(P<0.001). According to ROC curve, the AUC of NOX4 combined with MMP-2 in the diagnosis of DM complicated with NVG was better than that of individual diagnosis of NOX4(Z=3.341, P<0.05)and MMP-2(Z=2.788, P<0.05). The duration of DM, the proportion of people with intraocular pressure >21 mmHg, and the expression levels of NOX4, MMP-2, VEGF, and IL-6 in the poor prognosis group were all higher than those in the good prognosis group(P<0.001). The duration of DM, intraocular pressure >21 mmHg, the levels of NOX4, MMP-2, VEGF, and IL-6 were all risk factors for poor prognosis in DM patients with NVG(P<0.001). According to ROC curve, the combined prediction of NOX4 and MMP-2 for postoperative complications in patients with DM complicated by NVG was superior to the AUC predicted by NOX4(Z=3.727, P<0.05)and MMP-2(Z=2.219, P<0.05), respectively.CONCLUSION:NOX4 and MMP-2 are upregulated in the serum of patients with DM complicated by NVG. Combined detection of these two markers holds significant clinical value for the early diagnosis and prognosis of patients with DM complicated by NVG.
3.Exploration in Mechanism of Sini San for Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Ameliorating Isoprenaline-induced Myocardial Infarction in Mice Based on Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation
Shupeng LIU ; Zhiguang HAN ; Jiaying LI ; Jiayao XU ; Weihao GAO ; Yanping WU ; Guangguo BAN ; Yongmin LI ; Hongxia YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):67-77
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Sini San (SNS) inhibits ferroptosis, alleviates inflammation and myocardial injury, and improves myocardial infarction (MI). MethodsThe active ingredients of SNS were obtained by searching the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) database, its target sites were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction Database, and the core components were screened out using the CytoNCA plug-in. The targets of MI and ferroptosis were obtained by using GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, DrugBank, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), FerrDb database and literature review, respectively. The intersection of these targets of SNS-MI-ferroptosis was plotted as a Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and the visualization graph was prepared using Cytoscape. The core targets were screened out using the CytoNCA plug-in, and the biological functions were clustered by the MCODE plug-in. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the David database. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock and visualized with PyMOL2.5.2. The Kunming mice were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the SNS group, and the trimetazidine (TMZ) group. The mice were subcutaneously injected with isoprenaline (ISO, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1) to establish an MI model. The drug was continuously intervened for 7 days. The ST-segment changes were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG), and the tissue morphology changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte ferroptosis was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected by biochemical assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect IL-6 and phosphorylated signal transducer and transcription activator 3 (p-STAT3) in cardiac tissues. Western blot was used to detect STAT3 and p-STAT3 in cardiac tissues. Real-time PCR was used to detect the levels of IL-6, IL-18, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) in cardiac tissues. ResultsA total of 121 active ingredients of SNS were obtained, and 58 potential targets of SNS in the treatment of MI by regulating ferroptosis were screened. The three protein modules with a score5 were mainly related to the inflammatory response. The GO function was mainly related to inflammation, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that SNS mainly regulated ferroptosis- and inflammation- related signaling pathways. Molecular docking indicated that the core component had a higher binding force to the target site. Animal experiments confirmed that SNS reduced the level of p-STAT3 (P0.01), down-regulated the expression of ALOX15 mRNA (P0.01), up-regulated the level of serum GSH, and the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPx4 mRNA, reduced MDA and 4-HNE levels (P0.05, P0.01). Additionally, SNS improved the mitochondrial injury induced by cardiomyocyte ferroptosis, reduced the area of MI, alleviated inflammation and myocardial injury, lowered the levels of serum CK, CK-MB, LDH, IL-6, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-16 and IL-18 (P0.05), and improved ST segment elevation. ConclusionSNS can reduce ISO-induced STAT3 phosphorylation levels, inhibit ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, alleviate inflammation and myocardial injury, thereby improving MI.
4.Exploration in Mechanism of Sini San for Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Ameliorating Isoprenaline-induced Myocardial Infarction in Mice Based on Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation
Shupeng LIU ; Zhiguang HAN ; Jiaying LI ; Jiayao XU ; Weihao GAO ; Yanping WU ; Guangguo BAN ; Yongmin LI ; Hongxia YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):67-77
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Sini San (SNS) inhibits ferroptosis, alleviates inflammation and myocardial injury, and improves myocardial infarction (MI). MethodsThe active ingredients of SNS were obtained by searching the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) database, its target sites were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction Database, and the core components were screened out using the CytoNCA plug-in. The targets of MI and ferroptosis were obtained by using GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, DrugBank, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), FerrDb database and literature review, respectively. The intersection of these targets of SNS-MI-ferroptosis was plotted as a Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and the visualization graph was prepared using Cytoscape. The core targets were screened out using the CytoNCA plug-in, and the biological functions were clustered by the MCODE plug-in. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the David database. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock and visualized with PyMOL2.5.2. The Kunming mice were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the SNS group, and the trimetazidine (TMZ) group. The mice were subcutaneously injected with isoprenaline (ISO, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1) to establish an MI model. The drug was continuously intervened for 7 days. The ST-segment changes were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG), and the tissue morphology changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte ferroptosis was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected by biochemical assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect IL-6 and phosphorylated signal transducer and transcription activator 3 (p-STAT3) in cardiac tissues. Western blot was used to detect STAT3 and p-STAT3 in cardiac tissues. Real-time PCR was used to detect the levels of IL-6, IL-18, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) in cardiac tissues. ResultsA total of 121 active ingredients of SNS were obtained, and 58 potential targets of SNS in the treatment of MI by regulating ferroptosis were screened. The three protein modules with a score5 were mainly related to the inflammatory response. The GO function was mainly related to inflammation, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that SNS mainly regulated ferroptosis- and inflammation- related signaling pathways. Molecular docking indicated that the core component had a higher binding force to the target site. Animal experiments confirmed that SNS reduced the level of p-STAT3 (P0.01), down-regulated the expression of ALOX15 mRNA (P0.01), up-regulated the level of serum GSH, and the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPx4 mRNA, reduced MDA and 4-HNE levels (P0.05, P0.01). Additionally, SNS improved the mitochondrial injury induced by cardiomyocyte ferroptosis, reduced the area of MI, alleviated inflammation and myocardial injury, lowered the levels of serum CK, CK-MB, LDH, IL-6, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-16 and IL-18 (P0.05), and improved ST segment elevation. ConclusionSNS can reduce ISO-induced STAT3 phosphorylation levels, inhibit ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, alleviate inflammation and myocardial injury, thereby improving MI.
5.Analysis of clinical characteristics of 442 measles cases
Shiheng CUI ; Xiaomeng XU ; Wei WANG ; Yafei WANG ; Li SUN ; Yanli CONG ; Jinghui WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):45-48
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of measles cases in the measles elimination stage and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of measles. Methods The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the clinical characteristics of 442 confirmed measles cases in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2020. Results Among the 442 measles cases, the main symptoms were rash (96.61%), fever (90.50%), cough (56.11%), and Koplik spots (30.09%). Complications were mainly pneumonia (12.22%). There were significant differences in symptoms among different age groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of symptoms in children under 5 years old (except cough) was higher than that in other age groups. Immunization history had no significant impact on the symptoms of fever and rash (P > 0.05), but the incidence of symptoms such as cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik's spots and catarrhal rhinitis in the immunized group was lower than that in the non-immunized group (P < 0.05). The group with an interval of 0 days from fever to rash was the largest, and the proportion of people with an immunization history in the 0-day group (68.06%) was significantly higher than that in the 3-4-day group (49.44%) (P < 0.05). Pneumonia complications were mainly concentrated in children under 5 years old (87.03%), and most of the cases had a 0-dose immunization history (81.48%). Conclusion In the measles elimination stage, the incidence of fever and rash in cases is relatively high, while the incidence of Koplik spots is relatively low. The symptoms are more obvious in the younger age group. Vaccination can reduce the incidence of specific symptoms. The change in the time of rash appearance suggests that the diagnosis and treatment plan need to be adjusted. This study provides key data support for the formulation of measles prevention, control and treatment strategies.
6.Analysis of Risk Factors and Establishment of Prediction Model for Turbidity Toxicity Accumulation Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yican WANG ; Chenggong ZHAO ; Pengli DU ; Jie WANG ; Yuxi GUO ; Haiyan BAI ; Yongli HUO ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Jianping LIU ; Yanru CAI ; Jianming JIANG ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):288-295
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching, patients were divided into a training set (namely dev) and a validation set (namely vad) in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (namely Lasso) regression algorithms. Subsequently, a model, named model 1se, was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods, including the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsAge, body mass index (BMI), family history of cancer, job and life satisfaction, yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse, and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration, which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
7.Expression levels of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 in patients with primary glaucoma and their correlation with disease severity
Yaxin ZHANG ; Xiangyun LIU ; Lingna LI ; Yanjin ZHENG
International Eye Science 2026;26(5):767-771
AIM:To investigate the expression levels of serum sirtuin 6(Sirt6)and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2(NOX2)in patients with primary glaucoma and their correlation with the severity of the disease. METHODS:This study is a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with primary glaucoma at the hospital from August 2022 to June 2025 were enrolled and divided into mild-to-moderate and severe groups based on the mean deviation of visual field defects, along with healthy individuals as a control group. Clinical data were collected, and serum levels of Sirt6 and NOX2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Correlations between serum Sirt6 and NOX2 levels and clinical parameters were analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing disease severity, and the diagnostic efficacy of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 levels was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves. RESULTS:A total of 120 patients with primary glaucoma(58 males, 62 females, mean age 60.08±8.19 y)and 100 controls(46 males, 56 females, mean age 60.23±8.67 y)were enrolled in this study. There were no statistically significant differences in sex or age between the two groups(both P>0.05). The intraocular pressure and serum NOX2 expression level in the primary glaucoma group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the Sirt6 level was significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.001). The AUC values of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 in the diagnosis of primary glaucoma were 0.733 and 0.770, respectively, with optimal cutoff values of 2.35 and 4.25 ng/mL, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnosis of the two was 0.901, and its efficacy was obviously better than that of a single indicator(Zcombination-Sirt6=5.317, Zcombination-NOX2=4.720, P<0.001).The severe group had lower serum Sirt6 expression levels(P<0.05), and higher NOX2 expression levels(P<0.05)than the mild-to-moderate group. Serum Sirt6 expression levels were prominently negatively correlated with mean intraocular pressure(r=-0.354, P<0.05); NOX2 expression levels were prominently positively correlated with mean intraocular pressure(r=0.240, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that a decrease in serum Sirt6 expression levels(OR=0.229, 95%CI: 0.090-0.581), an increase in serum NOX2 expression levels(OR=2.649, 95%CI: 1.658-4.232), an increase in mean intraocular pressure(OR=1.278, 95%CI: 1.118-1.462)which were risk factors for the progression to severe glaucoma. The AUC values of serums Sirt6 and NOX2 expression levels in diagnosing severe primary glaucoma were 0.794 and 0.800, respectively, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the combined diagnosis of the two were 0.916, 80.00%, and 89.33%, respectively, and the combined diagnostic efficacy was better than that of a single indicator(Zcombination-Sirt6=2.627, P=0.009, Zcombination-NOX2=2.762, P=0.006). CONCLUSION:The decreased serum Sirt6 and increased NOX2 expression levels in patients with primary glaucoma are significantly correlated with disease severity, and the combined detection demonstrates good diagnostic value for primary glaucoma and its severity.
8.Analysis of Risk Factors and Establishment of Prediction Model for Turbidity Toxicity Accumulation Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yican WANG ; Chenggong ZHAO ; Pengli DU ; Jie WANG ; Yuxi GUO ; Haiyan BAI ; Yongli HUO ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Jianping LIU ; Yanru CAI ; Jianming JIANG ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):288-295
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching, patients were divided into a training set (namely dev) and a validation set (namely vad) in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (namely Lasso) regression algorithms. Subsequently, a model, named model 1se, was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods, including the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsAge, body mass index (BMI), family history of cancer, job and life satisfaction, yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse, and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration, which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
9.Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of culmerciclib combined with fulvestrant in the second-line treatment of HR+/HER2− locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Ran LIU ; Shengnan GAO ; Congxin LI ; Yuxi ZHANG ; Ranran ZHANG ; Yue WANG ; Ziyi LIU ; Guoqiang LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):1033-1038
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of culmerciclib combined with fulvestrant as second-line treatment for patients with hormone receptor-positive(HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, within the context of the Chinese healthcare system. METHODS A partitioned survival model was established based on the CULMATE-1 study, with a simulation time horizon set at 15 years and a cycle length of 28 days. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of culmerciclib combined with fulvestrant versus fulvestrant monotherapy as second-line treatment for HR+/HER2– breast cancer was calculated. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to assess the robustness of the model. Meanwhile, scenario analysis of culmerciclib price reduction was conducted; the required price reduction and price to reach the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold in this study were calculated. RESULTS The results of the base-case analysis indicated that, compared with the fulvestrant monotherapy regimen, culmerciclib combined with fulvestrant yielded an additional 0.823 quality-adjusted life year (QALY), with a corresponding ICER of 371 696.26 yuan/QALY, which exceeded the WTP threshold (199 330 yuan/QALY). The results of the univariate sensitivity analysis indicated that the cost of culmerciclib, the discount rate, the utility values for progression disease and progression free survival status were significant factors influencing the ICER; both the univariate sensitivity analysis and the probabilistic sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the model results. Scenario analysis indicated that when the price of culmerciclib was reduced by 30%, 55% and 85% respectively, the corresponding ICER values fell below 3, 2, and 1 times China’s per capita GDP in 2025, with the probability of cost-effectiveness being 3.00%, 94.90%, 100%. When the cost of culmerciclib (60 mg) was reduced by 52.6% to 50.96 yuan, the ICER value met the WTP threshold established in this study. CONCLUSIONS When the WTP threshold is set at twice China’s per capita GDP in 2025, second-line treatment with culmerciclib combined with fulvestrant for HR+/HER2– locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer does not exhibit cost-effectiveness advantage over fulvestrant monotherapy. Therefore, a reasonable price reduction is required to alleviate the financial burden on patients.
10.Prenatal phenotype and genetic analysis of two fetuses with Osteocraniostenosis due to variants of FAM111A gene.
Lingyi ZHANG ; Zhigang ZHANG ; Xingguang WANG ; Yanyan LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):96-101
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the prenatal manifestation and genetic basis for two fetuses suspected for Osteocraniostenosis (OCS).
METHODS:
Two fetuses undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis at Cangzhou People's Hospital in April and August 2021 for short long bones and abnormal skull morphology were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from amniotic fluid and peripheral blood samples of the two couples. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. Literature was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and PubMed using keywords including "FAM111A gene", "gracile bone dysplasia", "FAM111A" and "osteocraniostenosis" from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2025. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: K2020-049).
RESULTS:
Fetus 1 was found to have short limbs, abnormal skull morphology and shallow cerebral sulci. Fetus 2 showed short limbs, irregular skull halo, prominent forehead and bilateral frontal narrowing. Trio-WES revealed that fetus 1 has carried a heterozygous missense variant c.1582G>C (p.Asp528His) in exon 4 of the FAM111A gene, which was unreported previously. Fetus 2 has harbored a heterozygous in-frame deletion c.1020_1022delTTC (p.Ser343del) in exon 6 of the FAM111A gene, which has been recorded as likely pathogenic by the ClinVar and HGMD databases. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the parents of both fetuses were wild-type for the variant sites. A total of 9 previously reported patients with FAM111A-related gracile bone dysplasia/OCS from 4 publications were retrieved. The main clinical features included intrauterine growth restriction, hypomineralized skull, gracile long bones with narrow medullary cavities and characteristic facial anomalies, which were in large in keeping with the prenatal features of the two fetuses.
CONCLUSION
Both fetuses were diagnosed with FAM111A-related OCS based on the characteristic prenatal findings and identification of the FAM111A variants. Above finding expanded the phenotypic spectrum of FAM111A-associated disorders and provided clues for the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Humans
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Female
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Pregnancy
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Prenatal Diagnosis
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Phenotype
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Fetus
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Male
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Bone Diseases, Developmental/genetics*
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Adult


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