Objective:To explore the efficacy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of fetal free DNA in maternal peripheral blood in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 184 singleton pregnant women that underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School from June 2014 to December 2022 due to fetal increased NT (≥3.0 mm). These subjects were categorized based on whether the increased NT was accompanied by other high-risk factors into isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age (further subdivided into 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm, 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm, and NT≥4.0 mm subgroups), isolated increased NT with advanced maternal age, increased NT with nasal bone abnormalities, increased NT with other soft markers, and increased NT with structural abnormalities groups. Assuming the sensitivity and specificity of NIPT and expanded NIPT at this center were both 100%, genomic abnormalities outside the detection range of NIPT or expanded NIPT were termed as residual risk of NIPT or expanded NIPT. Chi-square test and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT among the three subgroups of isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age group. Results:(1) In the group of isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age: For the 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm subgroup (329 cases), 19 abnormalities were detected by CMA [12 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, seven cases of pathogenic copy number variation (pCNV)], with residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT both at 2.1% (7/329). For the 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm subgroup (173 cases), 29 abnormalities were detected by CMA (17 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, nine cases of pCNV, three cases of chromosome unbalanced translocation), with residual risks of NIPT at 8.1% (14/173) and expanded NIPT at 7.5% (13/173). For the NT≥4.0 mm subgroup (270 cases), CMA detected abnormalities in 70 cases (50 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, 16 cases of pCNV, three cases of unbalanced translocations, and one case of sex chromosome abnormality combined with pCNV). The residual risk of NIPT was 12.2% (33/270), and the residual risk of expanded NIPT was 7.0% (19/270). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT in the 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm subgroup were lower than those in the 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm and NT≥4.0 mm subgroups (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.017). (2) In the group of 92 cases with isolated increased NT and advanced maternal age, CMA detected abnormalities in 36 cases (29 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, five cases of pCNV, one case of trisomy 21 combined with sex chromosome abnormality, and one case of trisomy 18 combined with sex chromosome abnormality). The residual risk of NIPT was 7.6% (7/92), and that of expanded NIPT was 5.4% (5/92). (3) In the group of 49 cases with increased NT combined with nasal bone abnormalities, CMA detected abnormalities in 24 cases (23 cases of chromosome aneuploidy and one case of pCNV). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT were both 2.0% (1/49). (4) In the group of 26 cases with increased NT combined with other soft markers, CMA detected abnormalities in nine cases (six cases of chromosome aneuploidy, one case of pCNV, and two cases of chromosome unbalanced translocations). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT were both 11.5% (3/26). (5) In the group of 245 cases with increased NT combined with structural abnormalities, CMA detected abnormalities in 121 cases (107 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, seven cases of pCNV, four cases of chromosome unbalanced translocations, one case of trisomy 21 combined with trisomy 20, and two cases of trisomy 18 combined with sex chromosome abnormalities). The residual risk of NIPT was 16.7% (41/245), and that of expanded NIPT was 4.1% (10/245). Conclusions:For isolated NT≥3.5 mm or NT≥3.0 mm combined with other high-risk factors, chorionic villus sampling in early pregnancy can be recommended, advancing the timing of prenatal diagnosis from the second trimester to the first trimester. For fetuses with isolated 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm, the 2.1% residual risk of chromosomal abnormalities should be fully informed during counseling, even if the risk of NIPT is low.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of fetal free DNA in maternal peripheral blood in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 184 singleton pregnant women that underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School from June 2014 to December 2022 due to fetal increased NT (≥3.0 mm). These subjects were categorized based on whether the increased NT was accompanied by other high-risk factors into isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age (further subdivided into 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm, 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm, and NT≥4.0 mm subgroups), isolated increased NT with advanced maternal age, increased NT with nasal bone abnormalities, increased NT with other soft markers, and increased NT with structural abnormalities groups. Assuming the sensitivity and specificity of NIPT and expanded NIPT at this center were both 100%, genomic abnormalities outside the detection range of NIPT or expanded NIPT were termed as residual risk of NIPT or expanded NIPT. Chi-square test and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT among the three subgroups of isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age group. Results:(1) In the group of isolated increased NT without advanced maternal age: For the 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm subgroup (329 cases), 19 abnormalities were detected by CMA [12 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, seven cases of pathogenic copy number variation (pCNV)], with residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT both at 2.1% (7/329). For the 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm subgroup (173 cases), 29 abnormalities were detected by CMA (17 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, nine cases of pCNV, three cases of chromosome unbalanced translocation), with residual risks of NIPT at 8.1% (14/173) and expanded NIPT at 7.5% (13/173). For the NT≥4.0 mm subgroup (270 cases), CMA detected abnormalities in 70 cases (50 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, 16 cases of pCNV, three cases of unbalanced translocations, and one case of sex chromosome abnormality combined with pCNV). The residual risk of NIPT was 12.2% (33/270), and the residual risk of expanded NIPT was 7.0% (19/270). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT in the 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm subgroup were lower than those in the 3.5 mm≤NT<4.0 mm and NT≥4.0 mm subgroups (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.017). (2) In the group of 92 cases with isolated increased NT and advanced maternal age, CMA detected abnormalities in 36 cases (29 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, five cases of pCNV, one case of trisomy 21 combined with sex chromosome abnormality, and one case of trisomy 18 combined with sex chromosome abnormality). The residual risk of NIPT was 7.6% (7/92), and that of expanded NIPT was 5.4% (5/92). (3) In the group of 49 cases with increased NT combined with nasal bone abnormalities, CMA detected abnormalities in 24 cases (23 cases of chromosome aneuploidy and one case of pCNV). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT were both 2.0% (1/49). (4) In the group of 26 cases with increased NT combined with other soft markers, CMA detected abnormalities in nine cases (six cases of chromosome aneuploidy, one case of pCNV, and two cases of chromosome unbalanced translocations). The residual risks of NIPT and expanded NIPT were both 11.5% (3/26). (5) In the group of 245 cases with increased NT combined with structural abnormalities, CMA detected abnormalities in 121 cases (107 cases of chromosome aneuploidy, seven cases of pCNV, four cases of chromosome unbalanced translocations, one case of trisomy 21 combined with trisomy 20, and two cases of trisomy 18 combined with sex chromosome abnormalities). The residual risk of NIPT was 16.7% (41/245), and that of expanded NIPT was 4.1% (10/245). Conclusions:For isolated NT≥3.5 mm or NT≥3.0 mm combined with other high-risk factors, chorionic villus sampling in early pregnancy can be recommended, advancing the timing of prenatal diagnosis from the second trimester to the first trimester. For fetuses with isolated 3.0 mm≤NT<3.5 mm, the 2.1% residual risk of chromosomal abnormalities should be fully informed during counseling, even if the risk of NIPT is low.

Objective:To investigate the influence of maternal autoimmune diseases and anticoagulants, including low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and aspirin, on the fetal fraction of maternal plasma cell-free DNA of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted on women with singleton pregnancies receiving NIPT in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2021 to July 2022. NIPT was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-free amplification platform. In this study, four types of maternal autoimmune diseases, which were antiphospholipid syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, Sj?gren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and two anticoagulants, LMWH and aspirin, were studied. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze the factors influencing fetal fraction of maternal plasma cell-free DNA.Results:A total of 4 102 singleton pregnant women were enrolled in the prospective cohort, and 3 948 were finally included after excluding the cases with unclear dosing time of LMWH or aspirin, other autoimmune diseases, conceiving through ovulation induction alone, and having true positive or failed NIPT result. There were 96 cases with antiphospholipid syndrome, 35 with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, 34 with Sj?gren's syndrome, and 18 with SLE. A total of 108 patients only received LMWH treatment, 121 only received aspirin treatment, and 113 received both LMWH and aspirin treatment. Univariate linear regression analysis showed that maternal body mass index at blood collection ( B=－0.423), conceived by assisted reproductive technology ( B=－0.803), male fetus ( B=－0.458), undifferentiated connective tissue disease ( B=1.774), and SLE ( B=3.467) had influence on the fetal fraction (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that maternal body mass index at blood collection ( B=－0.415), conceived by assisted reproductive technology ( B=－0.585), male fetus ( B=－0.322), SLE ( B=3.347) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease ( B=1.336) were factors influencing fetal fraction (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Maternal use of LMWH or aspirin does not affect fetal fraction when performing NIPT on a PCR-free amplification platform, but undifferentiated connective tissue disease and SLE are the influencing factors. Therefore, pregnant women should be informed before the NIPT that the fetal fraction of maternal plasma cell-free DNA may be affected by maternal autoimmune diseases.

  Objective  This study aimed at describing the frequency of rare variants of monogenic cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD) in a cohort of patients with CSVD, and to explore its clinical relevance.  Methods  This study included CSVD patients visiting the Neurology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH) from March 2017 to January 2022, collecting their demographic and clinical information and DNA samples for whole-exome sequencing. Descriptive analysis and statistical analysis were conducted exploring the differences between monogenic CSVD-related gene mutation carriers and noncarriers.  Results  A total of 292 patients were included, 51.03% of whom carried one or more rare variants of monogenic CSVD-related genes. The most common rare low-frequency variants were located in the NOTCH3 gene (70 patients, 23.97%), followed by HTRA1 and COL4A1/COL4A2 (22 patients, 7.53%) respectively. Among the subgroup of patients without a family history of stroke (n=176), the frequency of rare variants was as high as 47.16%. Compared with non-carriers, the carriers were diagnosed at a younger age (58.76±13.71 vs. 63.46±13.21, P=0.003). No difference was found in phenotypes among single-SNP carriers, multiple-SNPs carriers, and noncarriers.  Conclusions  The frequency of rare mutation of monogenic CSVD-related genes were relatively high in Chinese CSVD cohort. The most common rare variant was within the NOTCH3, followed by HTRA1 and COL4A1/COL4A2 genes. For CSVD patients of unknown causes, genetic screening should not be neglected even if there is not a family history of the disease.

Objective : To learn the regulatory effect of Lactobacillus plantarum JX025073.1 on intestinal flora and blood lipid in mice, so as to provide the basis for the nutritional intervention of probiotics in hyperlipidemia population. Methods : Thirty male ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a intervention group. The mice in the control group were fed with basic diet, and in the other two groups were fed with high fat diet. The mice in the intervention group was given 0.4 mL of Lactobacillus plantarum JX025073.1 fermentation liquid by gavage every day, and in the other two groups were given 0.4 mL of normal saline. The body weight of mice, the mass of heart, liver, spleen and kidney organs were weighed, and the organ index was calculated. The contents of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol/triglyceride ( TG ), low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) in serum, TC, TG in liver and in feces were determined by biochemical analyzer. Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli in feces were cultured and counted. Results : After 42 days, compared with the control group, The mice in the model group had higher body weights, higher levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in serum, higher levels of TC, TG in liver and in feces, more Escherichia coli, less Bifidobacterium and less Lactobacillus ( P<0.05 ). Compared with the model group, the mice in the intervention group had lower body weight, lower levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in serum, lower levels of TC in liver, less Escherichia coli, higher levels of TC in feces, more Bifidobacterium and more Lactobacillus ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion Lactobacillus plantarum JX025073.1 can effectively regulate the blood lipid and intestinal flora of mice fed with high fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and outcome of pregnancy for fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT). METHODS: Between July 2014 and February 2018, 247 fetuses with increased NT (>95th centile)were analyzed by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). The fetuses were divided into ones with isolated increased NT (168 cases), increased NT with cystic hygroma (20 cases), increased NT with edema (12 cases) or increased NT with other abnormalities (47 cases). All couples were followed up by telephone calls. RESULTS: The rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 31.6% (78/247), which included 66 cases with chromosomal aneuploidies and 12 with copy number variants (CNVs). CNVs accounted for 31.4% (11/35) of total abnormalities among fetuses with isolated increased NT, whilst only 2.3% (1/43) of the total abnormalities among fetuses with non-isolated increased NT. Three fetuses with a normal CMA result had mental and physical retardation. Two of them were diagnosed with single gene disorders by whole exome sequencing. CONCLUSION CMA can detect more chromosomal microdeletion/microduplications among fetuses with isolated increased NT. Furthermore, fetuses with increased NT and anegative CMA result during pregnancy cannot exclude all adverse outcomes.
Aneuploidy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Edema ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Microarray Analysis ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Objective: To determine the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and outcome of pregnancy for fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT). Methods: Between July 2014 and February 2018, 247 fetuses with increased NT (>95th centile)were analyzed by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). The fetuses were divided into ones with isolated increased NT(168 cases), increased NT with cystic hygroma(20 cases), increased NT with edema(12 cases) or increased NT with other abnormalities(47 cases). All couples were followed up by telephone calls. Results: The rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 31.6% (78/247), which included 66 cases with chromosomal aneuploidies and 12 with copy number variants(CNVs). CNVs accounted for 31.4% (11/35) of total abnormalities among fetuses with isolated increased NT, whilst only 2.3% (1/43)of the total abnormalities among fetuses with non-isolated increased NT. Three fetuses with a normal CMA result had mental and physical retardation. Two of them were diagnosed with single gene disorders by whole exome sequencing. Conclusion CMA can detect more chromosomal microdeletion/microduplications among fetuses with isolated increased NT. Furthermore, fetuses with increased NT and anegative CMA result during pregnancy cannot exclude all adverse outcomes.

Gastric cancer, a common malignant tumor in digestive system with high morbidity as well as mortality rate, is insidious at the onset and lack of effective treatments so far. A growing number of studies have shown that exosome-derived miRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Autocrine exosome miRNAs from gastric cancer cells regulated tumor growth, recurrence, metastasis and drug resistance, etc. Moreover, exosomal miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment can be delivered into cancer cells to facilitate intercellular communication, thus affecting the progress of gastric cancer. Due to exosomes, which were released into circulation from tumor cells, contain abundant, specific and stable miRNAs, exosome-derived miRNAs have a great potential to be used as novel diagnosis biomarkers and treatment targets of gastric cancer.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 499-502)