Objective:X-linked non-syndromic hearing loss is an extremely rare type of hearing impairment. This study conducted a phenotypic and genetic analysis of a family with X-linked dominant inheritance to explore the causes of hearing loss. Methods:Clinical data were collected from a patient with non-syndromic hearing loss who visited the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in June 2023. Phenotypic and genetic analyses were performed on family members, including audiometric tests, whole-exome sequencing, and PCR-Sanger sequencing verification. Audiological assessments comprised pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, auditory brainstem response, and otoacoustic emission tests. Results:The affected individuals in this pedigree have X-linked dominant non-syndromic deafness caused by mutations in the SMPX gene. The proband, along with their mother and maternal grandmother, exhibit varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel pathogenic variant, NM_014332.3: c. 133-2A>C, in the SMPX gene in the proband. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the proband, proband's mother, and grandmother all carried this pathogenic variant. Conclusion:This study reports a novel pathogenic variant in the SMPX gene, providing additional medical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of X-linked dominant inherited non-syndromic hearing loss. It enriches the mutation spectrum of the SMPX gene.
Humans ; Pedigree ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Male ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Female ; Adult ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Muscle Proteins

Objective:To evaluate the role of whole exome sequencing（WES）in the etiological diagnosis and precision medicine management of patients with urolithiasis.Methods:We conducted a retrospective review of 21 patients with urolithiasis and pathogenic gene mutations identified by WES at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April 2019 and March 2025. The cohort included 13 males and 8 females，with a mean age of（18.9 ± 11.1）years；18 patients were under 25 years old. Clinical presentations included nephrocalcinosis（8 patients）and urinary tract calculi（13 patients），with five patients exhibiting extra-renal manifestations such as renal tubular acidosis and hyperaldosteronism. Stone composition analysis identified calcium oxalate（16 patients），cystine（4 patients），and carbonate apatite（1 patient）. Metabolic abnormalities were prevalent，including hypocitraturia（11 patients），hyperoxaluria（8 patients），and hypercalciuria（7 patients），with eight patients presenting two or more concurrent disorders. All patients underwent WES and comprehensive metabolic evaluation. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina Hiseq4000 platform，achieving a mean depth of > 100× and coverage of > 98% in target regions. Variants were classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics（ACMG）guidelines.Results:WES identified 12 distinct genes across autosomal recessive（9 genes： AGXT， GRHPR， ATP6V1B1， SLC12A1， KCNJ1， SLC3A1， SLC7A9， SLC34A3， WFS1），autosomal dominant（2 genes： CASR， ADCY10），and X-linked recessive（1 gene： CLCN5）inheritance patterns. Genotype-phenotype correlations revealed mutations associated with primary hyperoxaluria（8 patients），hypercalciuria（7 patients），and renal malformation due to a WFS1 mutation（1 patient）. A positive genetic diagnosis was achieved in 100% of patients with either urinary oxalate > 1 000 μmol/24 h or cystine stones. 8 patients received a diagnosis of hereditary stone disease at their first presentation（non-delayed group），while 13 experienced a mean diagnostic delay of（9.6 ± 3.9）years. The delayed diagnosis group had a significantly older age at initial stone onset［（10.2 ± 5.3）years vs.（6.8 ± 3.1）years， P = 0.03］and a higher incidence of impaired renal function（6 patients vs. 1 patient， P = 0.04）. Analysis of diagnostic delay by gene subgroup showed delays in 2/4 patients with cystinuria［ SLC3A1/ SLC7A9；（8.2 ± 3.5）years］，5/8 with primary hyperoxaluria［ AGXT/ GRHPR；（10.5 ± 4.1）years］，5/7 with hypercalciuria-related genes［ CASR/ ADCY10/ SLC12A1/ KCNJ1/ SLC34A3；（9.8 ± 3.8）years］，and 1/2 with other genes［ ATP6V1B1/ WFS1/ CLCN5；（7.6 ± 2.2）years］. Among 32 mutation sites detected，21 were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic and 11 as variants of uncertain significance. Four novel mutations were identified： ATP6V1B1（presenting with renal tubular acidosis，nephrocalcinosis，and hypocitraturia）， WFS1（presenting with renal malrotation，hydronephrosis，and stones without metabolic abnormalities）， SLC12A1（presenting with Bartter syndrome type 1，chronic renal insufficiency，hypercalciuria，hypocitraturia，alkalosis，and hyperaldosteronism），and SLC3A1（presenting with bilateral renal stones and cystinuria）. Conclusions:WES is crucial in identifying the underlying etiology of urolithiasis and can guide targeted treatment. We recommend early WES for patients with an initial stone presentation before age 25，those with nephrocalcinosis，or those with abnormal metabolic workups to facilitate precise diagnosis and preventive care.

Objective:The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variants of a late-onset auditory neuropathy pedigree caused by maternally inherited- mitochondrial mutation.Methods:A male proband who presented with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at Henan Children′s Hospital in September 2023 was chosen, along with his family members (4 generations, 20 individuals) as the study subjects. Data from this pedigree were collected, organized, and analyzed for clinical genetic characteristics. Medical histories were obtained from family members, pedigree charts were drawn, audiological, imaging, and physical examinations were conducted. Pathogenic genes and mutations were screened using high-throughput sequencing. Sanger sequencing was employed for variant confirmation and segregation validation in the family.Results:In this family, a total of 12 members (10 members collected) had sensorineural hearing loss, characterized by late-onset hearing impairment with an onset age ranging from 9 to 30 years. The patients exhibited poor speech recognition rates, and audiometric examinations are consistent with auditory neuropathy. There was no history of ototoxic drug use. High-throughput sequencing identified the variant NC_012920.1:m.7471dup in the mitochondrial MT-TS1 gene as the pathogenic variant. Sanger sequencing results confirmed that the pathogenic gene mutation site perfectly co-segregated with the auditory neuropathy phenotype in this family. According to the classification criteria and guidelines for genetic variations by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was classified as a pathogenic mutation. Conclusion:The mitochondrial MT-TS1 gene mutation m.7471dup is considered to be the pathogenic cause in this late-onset auditory neuropathy pedigree.

Objectiv To investigate an autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss family pedigree com-prehensively,aiming to precisely define its clinical phenotypes and uncover the underlying molecular genetic etiolo-gy.Methods A detailed interrogation of the proband's medical history and family history was conducted.Physical examinations,audiological assessments and temporal bone CT scans were performed.Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the proband(Ⅳ-8)for whole-exome sequencing(WES).Subsequently,candidate vari-ants identified through WES were validated among family members using Sanger sequencing.Results There were 36 individuals in 4 generations in this family pedigree,showing autosomal dominant inheritance.Among them,16 individuals presented with progressive hearing loss.Audiological examinations were completed for 13 of them,re-vealing normal hearing in three individuals(Ⅲ-1,Ⅲ-1 1,Ⅳ-4)and bilateral symmetric hearing loss of varying se-verity in the remaining ten(Ⅱ-2,Ⅱ-4,Ⅱ-10,Ⅲ-4,Ⅲ-10,Ⅲ-13,Ⅲ-14,Ⅳ-1,Ⅳ-7,Ⅳ-8),and the degree of hearing loss was related to age.WES of Ⅳ-8 revealed that she carried the variant NM_199330.2(HOMER2):c.1064 A＞G(p.Ter354Trpext10),and Sanger sequencing verified the variation at this site.Peripheral blood samples of 18 individuals in this family were collected in total.All affected individuals(Ⅱ-2,Ⅱ-4,Ⅱ-10,Ⅲ-4,Ⅲ-9,Ⅲ-10,Ⅲ-13,Ⅲ-14,Ⅳ-1,Ⅳ-7,Ⅳ-8)carried the HOMER2 c.1064 A＞G variant,except for one young member(Ⅳ-6)who had not yet developed hearing loss.Unaffected individuals(Ⅱ-5,Ⅲ-1,Ⅲ-5,Ⅲ-11,Ⅳ-2,Ⅳ-4)lacked the variant,demonstrating complete cosegregation of genotype and phenotype.According to ACMG guide-lines,this variant was classified as likely pathogenic(PM2+PP1+PM4).Conclusion The c.1064 A＞G(p.Ter354Trpext10)variant of the HOMER2 gene is the molecular genetic etiology of this hereditary deafness family pedigree.

Objective To analyze the clinical phenotypes and genetic variants of three families with NOG-re-lated symphalangism spectrum disorder(NOG-SSD).Methods Clinical data of 11 family members from three NOG-SSD families were retrospectively analyzed,including medical history,physical examination,imaging studies,and audiological evaluations.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of family members for whole-exome sequencing.Results Among the 11 family members,four exhibited mixed or conductive hearing loss.Probands from family 1 and 2 presented with mixed hearing loss,proximal symphalangism,flexion impairment of the fifth interphalangeal joint,and absence of skin creases.The proband and her mother in family 3 displayed con-ductive/mixed hearing loss,proximal symphalangism,and characteristic facial features(semicylindrical nose,hypo-plastic alae nasi,and thin upper lip with vermilion border).Whole-exome sequencing identified pathogenic variants in the NOG gene(NM_005450.6)in all three families.Family 1 and 2 harbored the novel missense variant c.236T＞A(p.Met79Lys)and nonsense variant c.666C＞G(p.Tyr222Ter),respectively,while family 3 carried the frameshift variant c.31del(p.Leu11SerfsTer51).All three variants were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogen-ic and have not been previously reported.Patients in family 1 and 2 were diagnosed with proximal symphalangism-1(SYM 1),whereas those in family 3 were diagnosed with multiple synostoses syndrome-1(SYNS1).Conclusion The NOG gene variants c.236T＞A,c.666C＞G,and c.31del are causative for NOG-SSD in these three families.

Objectiv To investigate an autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss family pedigree com-prehensively,aiming to precisely define its clinical phenotypes and uncover the underlying molecular genetic etiolo-gy.Methods A detailed interrogation of the proband's medical history and family history was conducted.Physical examinations,audiological assessments and temporal bone CT scans were performed.Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the proband(Ⅳ-8)for whole-exome sequencing(WES).Subsequently,candidate vari-ants identified through WES were validated among family members using Sanger sequencing.Results There were 36 individuals in 4 generations in this family pedigree,showing autosomal dominant inheritance.Among them,16 individuals presented with progressive hearing loss.Audiological examinations were completed for 13 of them,re-vealing normal hearing in three individuals(Ⅲ-1,Ⅲ-1 1,Ⅳ-4)and bilateral symmetric hearing loss of varying se-verity in the remaining ten(Ⅱ-2,Ⅱ-4,Ⅱ-10,Ⅲ-4,Ⅲ-10,Ⅲ-13,Ⅲ-14,Ⅳ-1,Ⅳ-7,Ⅳ-8),and the degree of hearing loss was related to age.WES of Ⅳ-8 revealed that she carried the variant NM_199330.2(HOMER2):c.1064 A＞G(p.Ter354Trpext10),and Sanger sequencing verified the variation at this site.Peripheral blood samples of 18 individuals in this family were collected in total.All affected individuals(Ⅱ-2,Ⅱ-4,Ⅱ-10,Ⅲ-4,Ⅲ-9,Ⅲ-10,Ⅲ-13,Ⅲ-14,Ⅳ-1,Ⅳ-7,Ⅳ-8)carried the HOMER2 c.1064 A＞G variant,except for one young member(Ⅳ-6)who had not yet developed hearing loss.Unaffected individuals(Ⅱ-5,Ⅲ-1,Ⅲ-5,Ⅲ-11,Ⅳ-2,Ⅳ-4)lacked the variant,demonstrating complete cosegregation of genotype and phenotype.According to ACMG guide-lines,this variant was classified as likely pathogenic(PM2+PP1+PM4).Conclusion The c.1064 A＞G(p.Ter354Trpext10)variant of the HOMER2 gene is the molecular genetic etiology of this hereditary deafness family pedigree.

Objective To analyze the clinical phenotypes and genetic variants of three families with NOG-re-lated symphalangism spectrum disorder(NOG-SSD).Methods Clinical data of 11 family members from three NOG-SSD families were retrospectively analyzed,including medical history,physical examination,imaging studies,and audiological evaluations.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of family members for whole-exome sequencing.Results Among the 11 family members,four exhibited mixed or conductive hearing loss.Probands from family 1 and 2 presented with mixed hearing loss,proximal symphalangism,flexion impairment of the fifth interphalangeal joint,and absence of skin creases.The proband and her mother in family 3 displayed con-ductive/mixed hearing loss,proximal symphalangism,and characteristic facial features(semicylindrical nose,hypo-plastic alae nasi,and thin upper lip with vermilion border).Whole-exome sequencing identified pathogenic variants in the NOG gene(NM_005450.6)in all three families.Family 1 and 2 harbored the novel missense variant c.236T＞A(p.Met79Lys)and nonsense variant c.666C＞G(p.Tyr222Ter),respectively,while family 3 carried the frameshift variant c.31del(p.Leu11SerfsTer51).All three variants were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogen-ic and have not been previously reported.Patients in family 1 and 2 were diagnosed with proximal symphalangism-1(SYM 1),whereas those in family 3 were diagnosed with multiple synostoses syndrome-1(SYNS1).Conclusion The NOG gene variants c.236T＞A,c.666C＞G,and c.31del are causative for NOG-SSD in these three families.

Objective:To evaluate the role of whole exome sequencing（WES）in the etiological diagnosis and precision medicine management of patients with urolithiasis.Methods:We conducted a retrospective review of 21 patients with urolithiasis and pathogenic gene mutations identified by WES at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April 2019 and March 2025. The cohort included 13 males and 8 females，with a mean age of（18.9 ± 11.1）years；18 patients were under 25 years old. Clinical presentations included nephrocalcinosis（8 patients）and urinary tract calculi（13 patients），with five patients exhibiting extra-renal manifestations such as renal tubular acidosis and hyperaldosteronism. Stone composition analysis identified calcium oxalate（16 patients），cystine（4 patients），and carbonate apatite（1 patient）. Metabolic abnormalities were prevalent，including hypocitraturia（11 patients），hyperoxaluria（8 patients），and hypercalciuria（7 patients），with eight patients presenting two or more concurrent disorders. All patients underwent WES and comprehensive metabolic evaluation. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina Hiseq4000 platform，achieving a mean depth of > 100× and coverage of > 98% in target regions. Variants were classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics（ACMG）guidelines.Results:WES identified 12 distinct genes across autosomal recessive（9 genes： AGXT， GRHPR， ATP6V1B1， SLC12A1， KCNJ1， SLC3A1， SLC7A9， SLC34A3， WFS1），autosomal dominant（2 genes： CASR， ADCY10），and X-linked recessive（1 gene： CLCN5）inheritance patterns. Genotype-phenotype correlations revealed mutations associated with primary hyperoxaluria（8 patients），hypercalciuria（7 patients），and renal malformation due to a WFS1 mutation（1 patient）. A positive genetic diagnosis was achieved in 100% of patients with either urinary oxalate > 1 000 μmol/24 h or cystine stones. 8 patients received a diagnosis of hereditary stone disease at their first presentation（non-delayed group），while 13 experienced a mean diagnostic delay of（9.6 ± 3.9）years. The delayed diagnosis group had a significantly older age at initial stone onset［（10.2 ± 5.3）years vs.（6.8 ± 3.1）years， P = 0.03］and a higher incidence of impaired renal function（6 patients vs. 1 patient， P = 0.04）. Analysis of diagnostic delay by gene subgroup showed delays in 2/4 patients with cystinuria［ SLC3A1/ SLC7A9；（8.2 ± 3.5）years］，5/8 with primary hyperoxaluria［ AGXT/ GRHPR；（10.5 ± 4.1）years］，5/7 with hypercalciuria-related genes［ CASR/ ADCY10/ SLC12A1/ KCNJ1/ SLC34A3；（9.8 ± 3.8）years］，and 1/2 with other genes［ ATP6V1B1/ WFS1/ CLCN5；（7.6 ± 2.2）years］. Among 32 mutation sites detected，21 were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic and 11 as variants of uncertain significance. Four novel mutations were identified： ATP6V1B1（presenting with renal tubular acidosis，nephrocalcinosis，and hypocitraturia）， WFS1（presenting with renal malrotation，hydronephrosis，and stones without metabolic abnormalities）， SLC12A1（presenting with Bartter syndrome type 1，chronic renal insufficiency，hypercalciuria，hypocitraturia，alkalosis，and hyperaldosteronism），and SLC3A1（presenting with bilateral renal stones and cystinuria）. Conclusions:WES is crucial in identifying the underlying etiology of urolithiasis and can guide targeted treatment. We recommend early WES for patients with an initial stone presentation before age 25，those with nephrocalcinosis，or those with abnormal metabolic workups to facilitate precise diagnosis and preventive care.

Objective:The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variants of a late-onset auditory neuropathy pedigree caused by maternally inherited- mitochondrial mutation.Methods:A male proband who presented with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at Henan Children′s Hospital in September 2023 was chosen, along with his family members (4 generations, 20 individuals) as the study subjects. Data from this pedigree were collected, organized, and analyzed for clinical genetic characteristics. Medical histories were obtained from family members, pedigree charts were drawn, audiological, imaging, and physical examinations were conducted. Pathogenic genes and mutations were screened using high-throughput sequencing. Sanger sequencing was employed for variant confirmation and segregation validation in the family.Results:In this family, a total of 12 members (10 members collected) had sensorineural hearing loss, characterized by late-onset hearing impairment with an onset age ranging from 9 to 30 years. The patients exhibited poor speech recognition rates, and audiometric examinations are consistent with auditory neuropathy. There was no history of ototoxic drug use. High-throughput sequencing identified the variant NC_012920.1:m.7471dup in the mitochondrial MT-TS1 gene as the pathogenic variant. Sanger sequencing results confirmed that the pathogenic gene mutation site perfectly co-segregated with the auditory neuropathy phenotype in this family. According to the classification criteria and guidelines for genetic variations by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was classified as a pathogenic mutation. Conclusion:The mitochondrial MT-TS1 gene mutation m.7471dup is considered to be the pathogenic cause in this late-onset auditory neuropathy pedigree.

Objective:To investigate the computed tomography (CT)-based integrated deep learning model for qualitative and quantitative classification of hepatic portal vein.Methods:The retrospective study was conducted. The CT imaging data of 291 patients undergoing upper-abdomen enhanced CT examination in the Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital of Tsinghua University from October 2017 to January 2019 were collected. There were 195 males and 96 females, aged (51±12)years. The hepatic portal vein was reconstructed using the three-dimensional reconstruction system. Three-dimensional point cloud was input to the encoder model to obtain the three-dimen-sional reconstructed vectorized representation, which was used for qualitative classification and quantitative representation classification. Measurement data with normal distribution were repre-sented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the paired t test. Count data were repre-sented as percentages or absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the paired chi-square test. Results:(1) Three-dimensional reconstruction of portal vein and anatomical classification. Three-dimensional structure was reconstructed in the 291 patients. Classification of main hepatic portal vein showed 211 cases of Akgul type A, 29 cases of Akgul type B, 16 cases of Akgul type C, 10 cases of Akgul type D, and 25 cases of unclassifiable. (2) Prediction of qualitative classification of main hepatic portal vein. Of the 291 patient samples, 25 unclassifiable or poor quality samples were excluded, 266 samples were used for automated qualitative classification of the main portal vein by machine model. There were 211 cases of Akgul type A, 29 cases of Akgul type B, 26 cases of Akgul type C&D. The Macro-F1 of 266 patients was 61.93%±40.50% and the accuracy was 84.99%, versus 32.38%±19.81% and 61.65% of Random classifier, showing significant differ-ences between them ( t=7.85, χ2=62.89, P<0.05). (3) Quantitative representation of portal vein classification. The probabilities of quantitative classification for Akgul qualitative classification of similar samples included P@1 as 73%±45%, P@3 as 70%±37%, P@5 as 69%±35%, P@10 as 67%± 32%, mean reciprocal rank(MRR) as 80%±34%, versus 57%±50%, 58%±35%, 58%±32%, 58%± 30%, 70%±37% of the baseline model, showing significant differences between the two analytical methods ( t=5.22, 5.11, 5.00, 4.99, 3.47, P<0.05). Conclusion:The automated classification model for the hepatic portal vein structure was constructed using CT-based three-dimensional reconstruc-tion and deep learning technology, which can achieve automatic qualitative classification and quanti-tatively describe the hepatic portal vein structure.