OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the detection of low-level mosaicisms in amniotic fluid samples, and to retrospectively analyze the rare cases of mosaicisms. METHODS: Chromosomal karyotype of the fetus was determined by G-banding analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells. CMA was used to detect copy number variation of fetal chromosomes, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the proportion of fetal chromosomal mosaicisms in uncultured amniotic fluid cells. RESULTS: Among 825 prenatal samples, 4 cases of true fetal mosaicisms were detected, which yielded an incidence of 0.48%. Two cases were sex chromosomal mosaicisms, and two were autosomal mosaicisms, which involved chromosomes 8 and 9, respectively. All cases were verified by G-banding analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells, CMA, and/or FISH. CONCLUSION CMA has a great value for detecting low-level mosaicisms in amniotic fluid samples, though the positive results need to be verified by other techniques and should be interpreted with caution. The review of rare cases can provide a basis for prenatal genetic counseling.
Humans ; Female ; Amniotic Fluid/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Mosaicism/embryology* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Adult ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Microarray Analysis/methods* ; Karyotyping ; Retrospective Studies ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To explore the detection rate of copy number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with isolated Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and pregnancy outcomes in order to provide a basis for genetic counseling. METHODS: One hundred and eighty eight fetuses who underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) due to isolated CAKUT detected by prenatal ultrasonography at Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. According to the ultrasound findings, the fetuses were divided into 8 groups, including renal parenchymal dysplasia group, renal cystic dysplasia group, simple renal parenchymal echo enhancement group, abnormal development of renal collecting system group, duplicated kidney group, ectopic kidney group, horseshoe kidney group, and bladder/posterior urethral abnormalities group. The detection of CNVs was retrospectively analyzed, and the pregnant women were followed up to summarize their pregnancy outcomes. 2 test (or Fisher's exact probability method) was used to compare the CNV detection rates between the groups. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital (Ethics No.: QFELL-YJ-2025-85). RESULTS: Among the 188 fetuses with isolated CAKUT, 23 CNVs (12.23%) were detected, of which 13 cases (6.91%) were pathogenic and 10 cases were rated as variants of unknown significance (VOUS). Among the 8 groups, the three groups with the highest proportion were renal cystic dysplasia group, renal metaplasia group, and renal parenchymal dysplasia group. The detection rates of pathogenic CNVs in the three groups were 1.79% (1/56), 6.78% (4/59), and 16.67% (5/30), respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Parental verification was conducted on 12 fetuses detected with the CNVs, confirming that 2 cases were de novo and 10 were inherited from parents with a normal phenotype. After genetic counseling, the parents of 9 fetuses opted to terminate the pregnancy, while 11 chose to continue with the pregnancy, and 3 were lost to follow-up. At the time of last follow-up, the youngest offspring was 5 months old and the oldest was 3 years and 11 months old. One child had renal aplasia, and two were born with hydronephrosis, which have been cured through surgery. The remainders had no obvious abnormality with their growth and development. CONCLUSION CMA testing has important value for prenatal diagnosis of isolated CAKUT. In this study, the detection rate of pathogenic CNVs has increased sequentially in fetuses with renal cystic developmental abnormalities, renal collecting system developmental abnormalities, and renal parenchymal dysplasia, while there was no significant difference in the detection rate of CNVs. For fetuses with isolated CAKUT detected by prenatal ultrasound, CMA testing should be considered, and reasonable pregnancy decisions should be made based on the results of prenatal ultrasound and parental verification.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Kidney/abnormalities* ; Adult ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Urogenital Abnormalities/diagnosis* ; Microarray Analysis/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Tract/abnormalities* ; Fetus ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a kind of metastatic tumor whose primary origin cannot be identified after adequate examination and evaluation. The main treatment modality of CUP is empiric chemotherapy, and the median overall survival time is less than 1 year. Compared with immunohistochemistry, novel method based on gene expression profiling have improved the sensitivity and specificity of CUP detection, but its guiding value for treatment is still controversial. The approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors and pan-cancer antitumor agents has improved the prognosis of patients with CUP, and targeted therapy and immunotherapy based on specific molecular characteristics are the main directions of future research. Given the high heterogeneity and unique clinicopathological characteristics of CUP, "basket trial" is more suitable for clinical trial design in CUP.
Humans ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary/genetics* ; Carcinoma/drug therapy* ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods* ; Microarray Analysis ; Prognosis

This study aims to clarify host factors of IFN treatment in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients by screening the differentially expressed genes of IFN pathway CHB patients with different response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Three cases were randomly selected in IFN-responding CHB patients (Rs), non-responding CHB patients (NRs) and healthy participants, respectively. The human type I IFN response RT ² profiler PCR array was used to detect the expression levels of IFN-related genes in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from healthy participants and CHB patients before and after Peg-IFN-α 2a treatment. The results showed that more differentially expressed genes appeared in Rs group than NRs group after IFN treatment. Comparing with healthy participants, IFNG, IL7R, IRF1, and IRF8 were downregulated in both Rs and NRs group before IFN treatment; CXCL10, IFIT1, and IFITM1 were upregulated in the Rs; IL13RA1 and IFI35 were upregulated in the NRs, while IFRD2, IL11RA, IL4R, IRF3, IRF4, PYHIN1, and ADAR were downregulated. The expression of IL15, IFI35 and IFI44 was downregulated by 4.09 ( t = 10.58, P < 0.001), 5.59 ( t = 3.37, P = 0.028) and 10.83 ( t = 2.8, P = 0.049) fold in the Rs group compared with the NRs group, respectively. In conclusion, IFN-response-related gene array is able to evaluate IFN treatment response by detecting IFN-related genes levels in PBMC. High expression of CXCL10, IFIT1 and IFITM1 before treatment may suggest satisfied IFN efficacy, while high expression of IL13RA1, IL15, IFI35 and IFI44 molecules and low expression of IFRD2, IL11RA, IL4R, IRF3, IRF4, PYHIN1 and ADAR molecules may be associated with poor IFN efficacy.
Humans ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics* ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-15 ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Nuclear Proteins ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods* ; Interferons/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

Enamel formation is a series of complex physiological processes, which are regulated by critical genes spatially and temporally. These processes involve multiple developmental stages covering ages and are prone to suffer signal interference or gene mutations, ultimately leading to developmental defects of enamel (DDE). Epigenetic modifications have important regulatory roles in gene expression during enarnel development. New technologies including high-throughput sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), and DNA methylation chip are emerging in recent years, making it possible to establish genome-wide epigenetic modification profiles during developmental processes. The regulatory role of epigenetic modification with spatio-temporal pattern, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA, has significantly expanded our understanding of the regulatory network of enamel formation, providing a new theoretical basis of clinical management and intervention strategy for DDE. The present review briefly describes the enamel formation process of human beings' teeth as well as rodent incisors and summarizes the dynamic characteristics of epigenetic modification during enamel formation. The functions of epigenetic modification in enamel formation and DDE are also emphatically discussed.
Humans ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Developmental Defects of Enamel ; DNA Methylation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Dental Enamel

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the diagnosis of fetuses with anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS) and summarize the outcome of the pregnancies and follow-up. METHODS: A total of 636 fetuses from June 2014 to December 2020 who were referred to the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital due to abnormal CNS prompted by ultrasound were selected as the research subjects. Based on the ultrasound findings, the fetuses were divided into ventricular dilatation group (n = 441), choroid plexus cyst group (n = 41), enlarged posterior fossa group (n = 42), holoprosencephaly group (n = 15), corpus callosum hypoplasia group (n = 22), and other anomaly group (n = 75). Meanwhile, they were also divided into isolated (n = 504) and non-isolated (n = 132) groups based on the presence of additional abnormalities. Prenatal samples (amniotic fluid/chorionic villi/umbilical cord blood) or abortus tissue were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA and CMA assay. Outcome of the pregnancies and postnatal follow-up were summarized and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total 636 fetuses with CNS anomalies (including 89 abortus tissues) were included, and 547 cases were followed up. The overall detection rate of CMA was 11.48% (73/636). The detection rates for the holoprosencephaly group, ACC group, choroid plexus cyst group, enlarged posterior fossa group, ventricular dilatation group and other anomaly group were 80% (12/15), 31.82% (7/22), 19.51% (8/41), 14.29% (6/42), 7.48% (33/441) and 9.33% (7/75), respectively. Compared with the isolated CNS anomaly group, the detection rate for the non-isolated CNS anomaly group was significantly higher (6.35% vs. 31.06%) (32/504 vs. 41/132) (χ² = 62.867, P < 0.001). Follow up showed that, for 52 fetuses with abnormal CMA results, 51 couples have opted induced labor, whilst 1 was delivered at full term with normal growth and development. Of the 434 fetuses with normal CMA results, 377 were delivered at full term (6 had developmental delay), and 57 couples had opted induced labor. The rate of adverse pregnancy outcome for non-isolated CNS abnormal fetuses was significantly higher than that of isolated CNS abnormal fetuses (26.56% vs. 10.54%) (17/64 vs. 39/370) (χ² = 12.463, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Fetuses with CNS anomaly should be tested with CMA to determine the genetic cause. Most fetuses with negative CMA result have a good prognosis, but there is still a possibility for a abnormal neurological phenotype. Fetuses with CNS abnormalities in conjunct with other structural abnormalities are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Holoprosencephaly ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Central Nervous System ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Nervous System Malformations/genetics* ; Microarray Analysis ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; Cysts ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognosis of fetuses identified with de novo variants of unknown significance (VOUS) by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). METHODS: A total of 6 826 fetuses who underwent prenatal CMA detection at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Drum Tower Hospital from July 2017 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. The results of prenatal diagnosis, and outcome of fetuses identified with VOUS of de novo origin were followed up. RESULTS: Among the 6 826 fetuses, 506 have carried VOUS, of which 237 were detected for the parent-of-origin and 24 were found to be de novo. Among the latters, 20 were followed up for 4 to 24 months. Four couples had opted elective abortion, 4 had developed clinical phenotypes after birth, and 12 were normal. CONCLUSION Fetuses with VOUS should be continuously follow-up, in particular those carrying de novo VOUS, in order to clarify their clinical significance.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Chromosomes ; Microarray Analysis/methods* ; Fetus ; Chromosome Aberrations

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal mosaicisms. METHODS: A total of 775 pregnant women who had visited the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Yancheng Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected as study subjects. Chromosome karyotyping analysis and CMA were carried out for all women, and FISH was used to validate the suspected mosaicism cases. RESULTS: Among the 775 amniotic fluid samples, karyotyping has identified 13 mosaicism cases, which yielded a detection rate of 1.55%. Respectively, there were 4, 3, 4 and 2 cases for sex chromosome number mosaicisms, abnormal sex chromosome structure mosaicisms, abnormal autosomal number mosaicisms and abnormal autosomal structure mosaicisms. CMA has only detected only 6 of the 13 cases. Among 3 cases verified by FISH, 2 cases were consistent with the karyotyping and CMA results, and clearly showed low proportion mosaicism, and 1 case was consistent with the result of karyotyping but with a normal result by CMA. Eight pregnant women had chosen to terminate the pregnancy (5 with sex chromosome mosaicisms and 3 with autosomal mosaicisms). CONCLUSION For fetuses suspected for chromosomal mosaicisms, CMA, FISH and G-banding karyotyping should be combined to determine the type and proportion of mosaicisms more precisely in order to provide more information for genetic counseling.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Mosaicism ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Microarray Analysis/methods* ; Chromosomes

OBJECTIVE: To explore the strategies of prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for fetuses of two families with large deletions of 13q21. METHODS: Two singleton fetuses who were diagnosed with chromosome 13 microdeletions by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital in March 2021 and December 2021 respectively were selected as the study subjects. Chromosomal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were carried on amniotic samples. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the two couples for CMA assay to determine the origin of abnormal chromosomes identified in the fetuses. RESULTS: The karyotypes of the two fetuses were both normal. CMA revealed that they have respectively harbored heterozygous deletions spanning 11.935 Mb at 13q21.1q21.33 and 10.995 Mb at 13q14.3q21.32, which were respectively inherited from their mother and father. Both deletions had low gene density and lacked haploinsufficient genes, and were predicted to be likely benign variants based on database and literature search. Both couples had opted to continue with the pregnancy. CONCLUSION The deletions of the 13q21 region in both families may be of benign variants. As the follow-up time was short, there was no sufficient evidence for the determination of pathogenicity, though our finding may still provide a basis for the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Pregnancy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pedigree ; East Asian People ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Karyotyping ; Microarray Analysis ; DNA Copy Number Variations

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic etiology for a child featuring congenital hypothyroidism (CH). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES), copy number variation (CNV) sequencing and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were carried out for a newborn infant who had presented at Linyi People's Hospital for CH. Clinical data of the child was analyzed, in addition with a literature review. RESULTS: The main characteristics of the newborn infant had included peculiar face, vulvar edema, hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, recurrent respiratory tract infection with laryngeal wheezing and feeding difficulties. Laboratory test indicated hypothyroidism. WES suggested a CNV deletion on chromosome 14q12q13. CMA further confirmed a 4.12 Mb deletion at chromosome 14q12q13.3 (32649595_36769800), which has encompassed 22 genes including NKX2-1, the pathogenic gene for CH. The same deletion was found in neither of her parents. CONCLUSION Through the analysis of clinical phenotype and genetic variant, the child was diagnosed with 14q12q13.3 microdeletion syndrome.
Female ; Humans ; Congenital Hypothyroidism/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Phenotype ; Syndrome ; Microarray Analysis