Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Wuzi Yanzong Pills combined with sequential therapy for the treatment of patients with premature ovarian failure(POF)of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney type,and to observe their effects on sex hormones and ovarian ultrasound indicators.Methods From September 2022 to September 2023,a total of 62 patients with POF of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney type who attended Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the study objects.The patients were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group by using a table of random numbers,with 31 patients in each group.The control group was treated with estrogen-progestin sequential therapy,and the observation group was treated with modified Wuzi Yanzong Pills on the basis of treatment for the control group.The two groups were treated for three menstrual cycles.Before and after treatment,the changes of serum sex hormones,uterine and ovarian ultrasonography and hemodynamic indicators,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Kupperman score of the two groups were observed.The ovulation rate and therapeutic efficacy of the two groups were compared,and the safety of the therapeutic regimen for the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)Two cases fell off during the study period,and a total of 60 patients were eventually included in the study,of which 30 patients in each group.(2)After three menstrual cycles of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 90.00％(27/30)and that of the control group was 76.67％(23/30),and the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(LH)levels of the two groups of patients were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum estradiol(E2)level was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),the decrease of the serum FSH and LH levels and the increase of the serum E2 level in the observational group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,ultrasonographic indicators such as endometrial thickness(EM),ovarian volume averaged(OVA),mean ovarian diameter(MOD)at the maximum transverse section of the ovary,and antral follicle count(AFC)in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the peak systolic velocity(PSV)of the two groups was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the ovarian resistance index(RI)and ovarian pulsatility index(PI)were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of PSV and the decrease of RI and the PI in the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.01).(6)After treatment,the Kupperman score and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(7)After three menstrual cycles of treatment,the ovulation rate of the observation group was 30.00％(9/30),and that of the control group was 10.00％(3/30).The comparison between the two groups showed that the ovulation rate of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(8)The incidence of adverse reactions in the control group was 6.67％(2/30)and that in the observation group was 6.67％(2/30).The comparison between the two groups showed that there being no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion The modified Wuzi Yanzong Pills combined with estrogen-progestin sequential therapy can effectively regulate the sex hormone levels of patients with POF of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney type,promote the follicular development,significantly improve the ovarian microcirculation,increase the ovulation rate,and relieve symptoms and signs,with good safety.

Objective To investigate the expressions of glycolysis-related factors and changes in Notch1 signaling in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis(AM)and Ishikawa cells to explore the pathogenesis of AM.Methods Eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from 8 patients with AM and 8 patients with uterine fibroids matched for clinical characteristics(control group).The expressions of Notch1 signaling proteins and glycolysis-related factors in the collected tissues were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting,and the levels of glucose and lactic acid were determined.An Ishikawa cell model with lentivirus-mediated stable Notch1 overexpression was established for assessing cell survival rate with CCK-8 assay,cell migration and invasion abilities with Transwell migration and invasion assays,and glycolytic capacity by determining the extracellular acidification rate.Results Compared with those in the control group,the endometrial tissues in AM group showed significantly increased expression level of carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),increased mRNA expression levels of Notch1,HK2 and PDHA and protein expressions of Notch1,GLUT1,HK2,PKM and PDHA,lowered glucose level and increased lactate level.The Ishikawa cell models with stable Notch1 overexpression exhibited significantly increased cell survival rate with attenuated cell migration and invasion abilities and decreased glycolysis capacity and reserve.Conclusion The Notch1 signaling pathway participates in the pathogenesis of AM possibly by regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis of endometrial cells.

Objective To investigate the expressions of glycolysis-related factors and changes in Notch1 signaling in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis(AM)and Ishikawa cells to explore the pathogenesis of AM.Methods Eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from 8 patients with AM and 8 patients with uterine fibroids matched for clinical characteristics(control group).The expressions of Notch1 signaling proteins and glycolysis-related factors in the collected tissues were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting,and the levels of glucose and lactic acid were determined.An Ishikawa cell model with lentivirus-mediated stable Notch1 overexpression was established for assessing cell survival rate with CCK-8 assay,cell migration and invasion abilities with Transwell migration and invasion assays,and glycolytic capacity by determining the extracellular acidification rate.Results Compared with those in the control group,the endometrial tissues in AM group showed significantly increased expression level of carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),increased mRNA expression levels of Notch1,HK2 and PDHA and protein expressions of Notch1,GLUT1,HK2,PKM and PDHA,lowered glucose level and increased lactate level.The Ishikawa cell models with stable Notch1 overexpression exhibited significantly increased cell survival rate with attenuated cell migration and invasion abilities and decreased glycolysis capacity and reserve.Conclusion The Notch1 signaling pathway participates in the pathogenesis of AM possibly by regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis of endometrial cells.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a child with congenital disorder of glycosylation type 1y (CDG-1y) in conjunct with congenital dysplasia of external auditory canal.Methods:Trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) was carried out for the family. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the variant was predicted with a variety of bioinformatic tools.Results:The proband, a 10-years-old boy, presented with mental retardation, microcephaly and dysplasia of external auditory canal. Trio-WES revealed that he has harbored a de novo frameshift variant c. 302dupC (p.Y102Lfs*2) in exon 4 of SSR4 gene, which was unreported previously (PS2). The variant was absent in major allele frequency databases (PM2) and was predicted to be pathogenic by multiple bioinformatic tools (PP3). UCSF chimera software suggested that the c. 302dupC (p.Y102Lfs*2) variant can induce significant alteration to the structure of SSR4 protein, resulting loss of function (PVS1+ PM1). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM1+ PM2+ PP3) Conclusion:The de novo frameshift variant c. 302dupC (p.Y102Lfs*2) of the SSR4 gene probably underlay the child′s condition. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of SSR4 mutations and the phenotypic spectrum of CDG-1y.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child suspected for Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson syndrome. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the child and her parents. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the proband. Suspected variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The impact of the variants was predicted by bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor a de novo missense variant c.2623C>T (p.Asp875Tyr) in exon 13 of the KAT6B gene. The variant was previously unreported, and was not recorded in the major allele frequency database and predicted to be pathogenic based on PolyPhen-2, MutationTaster and PROVEAN analysis. As predicted by UCSF chimera and CASTp software, the variant can severely impact the substrate-binding pocket of histone acetyltransferase, resulting in loss of its enzymatic activity. Based on standards and guidelines by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was classified to be likely pathogenic (PS2+PM2+PP3). CONCLUSION The child's condition may be attributed to the de novo missense c.2623C>T (p.Asp875Tyr) variant of the KAT6B gene.
Blepharophimosis ; Child ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Facies ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Histone Acetyltransferases/genetics* ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Joint Instability ; Mutation ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a pathogenic variant of MEFV gene in a family with autosomal dominant-familial Mediterranean fever (AD-FMF). METHODS: A 5-year-old boy presented with recurrent aseptic meningitis and his major symptoms included recurrent fever with headache and vomiting. His family members including his mother, sister and brother also had recurrent fever. A genetic disease was considered. DNAs were extracted from patient and all his family members' blood samples. Whole exome sequencing was performed to identify putative pathogenic variants that can explain this family's condition and Sanger sequencing was conducted. The impact of detected variants were predicted and validated by bioinformatics. RESULTS: A missense variant c.2229C>G (p.Phe743Leu) in MEFV gene was identified in the proband and his family members including his mother, sister and brother. This variant had not been reported in China previously, but the locus of it had already been reported in Arabic patient with AD-FMF (PS1). This variant was absent in major allele frequency databases (PM2) and had been predicted to be pathogenic based on Mutationtaster, PROVEAN and PolyPhen-2. In addition, the change of amino acid, locating in 743 locus of pyrin protein, encoding by MEFV gene, was found to cause SPRY_PRY_TRIM20 and SPRY_superfamily domain destroyed and finally influenced the fuction of pyrin protein. On the other hand, using UCSF chimera software, we find the variant c.2229C>G (p.Phe743Leu) can induce serious influence to the spatial structure of pyrin protein and loss of protein fuction (PP3). According to the ACMG variant classification guideline, the variant c.2229C>G (p.Phe743Leu) in MEFV gene was classified as likely pathogenic (PS1+PM2+PP3). CONCLUSION The condition of this AD-FMF family may be attributed to the missense variant c.2229C>G (p.Phe743Leu) in MEFV gene. The recurrent aseptic meningitis was a very rare manifestation in AD-FMF patients and had not been reported in China previously. The clinical and genetic findings of the present study are helpful for the further understanding of AD-FMF.
Child, Preschool ; Familial Mediterranean Fever/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pyrin/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child featuring X-linked intellectual disability. METHODS: The 1-year-and-6-month-old child presented with growth retardation, intellectual disability and bilateral alternating squint. With DNA extracted from the child and his parents' peripheral venous blood samples, whole exome sequencing was carried out to identify potential variants that can explain his condition. Suspected variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The impact of variants was predicted by bioinformatic tools. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor a de novo nonsense c.3163C>T (p.Arg1055*) variant of the IQSEC2 gene. The variant, unreported previously, was predicted to be pathogenic based on MutationTaster, PROVEAN and SIFT. Analysis using a HomoloGene system suggested Arg1055 in IQSEC2 residues to be highly conserved evolutionarily, and that replacement of Arg1055 may cause destroy of the PH domain (AA 951-1085) and serious damage to the function of IQSEC2 protein. Analysis with UCSF chimera software suggested that the c.3163C>T (p.Arg1055*) variant can induce serious damages to the secondary structures of IQSEC2 protein, causing loss of its function. CONCLUSION The patient's condition may be attributed to the de novo nonsense variant c.3163C>T (p.Arg1055*) of the IQSEC2 gene.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular basis for a child featuring with Floating-Harbor syndrome. METHODS: The 2-year-and-8-month-old child presented with retarded growth and language development. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the child and his parents with informed consent and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenecity of the variants were predicted by using bioinformatic tools. RESULTS: The child was found to carry a de novo frameshift variant c.7273dupA (p. Thr2425Asnfs*18) in the SRCAP gene. The variant was unreported previously and predicted to be pathogenic by MutationTaster. Analysis using HomoloGene system and MEGA software indicated position 2425 of the SRCAP protein to be highly conserved. Substitution of amino acid (Thr) at this position may cause destruction of three AT-hook domains (Amino acid 2857-2869, 2936-2948 and 3004-3016) and serious damage to the function of SRCAP protein. CONCLUSION The patient's condition may be attributed to the de novo frameshift variant c.7273dupA (p. Thr2425Asnfs*18) of the SRCAP gene. Above finding can facilitate diagnosis of Floating-Harbor syndrome among Chinese population.

Objective: To detect potential mutations of HEXB gene in an infant with Sandhoff disease (SD). Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood sample of the infant. All coding exons (exons 1 to 14) and splicing sites of the HEXB gene were subjected to PCR amplification and direct sequencing.PubMed Protein BLAST system was employed to analyze cross-species conservation of the mutant amino acid. PubMed BLAST CD-search was performed to identify functional domains destroyed by thecandidate mutations. Impact of the mutations was analyzed with software including PolyPhen-2, Mutation Taster and SIFT. Whole-exome sequencing was carried out to identify additional mutations. Results: The infant was found to carry compound heterozygous mutations c. 1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr) and c. 1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) of the HEXB gene. The c. 1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) mutation may lead to destruction of two functional domains in β subunit of the Hex protein. The c. 1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr)mutation, unreported previously, was predicted to be probably damaging by Bioinformatic analysis. Conclusion Compound heterozygous mutations c. 1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr) and c. 1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) in the HEXB gene probably underlie the disease in this patient.

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutations of HEXB gene in an infant with Sandhoff disease (SD). METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood sample of the infant. All coding exons (exons 1 to 14) and splicing sites of the HEXB gene were subjected to PCR amplification and direct sequencing.PubMed Protein BLAST system was employed to analyze cross-species conservation of the mutant amino acid. PubMed BLAST CD-search was performed to identify functional domains destroyed by thecandidate mutations. Impact of the mutations was analyzed with software including PolyPhen-2, Mutation Taster and SIFT. Whole-exome sequencing was carried out to identify additional mutations. RESULTS: The infant was found to carry compound heterozygous mutations c.1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr) and c.1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) of the HEXB gene. The c.1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) mutation may lead to destruction of two functional domains in β subunit of the Hex protein. The c.1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr) mutation, unreported previously,was predicted to be probably damaging by Bioinformatic analysis. CONCLUSION Compound heterozygous mutations c.1652G>A(p.Cys551Tyr) and c.1389C>G (p.Tyr463*) in the HEXB gene probably underlie the disease in this patient.
DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sandhoff Disease ; genetics ; beta-Hexosaminidase beta Chain ; genetics