OBJECTIVE: To analyze a Chinese pedigree with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency duo to variants of F12 gene and explore its molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: A patient who underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at the Department of Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in June 2012 was selected as the study subject. Coagulation factor indexes of the proband and her family members (5 individuals from three generations) were determined. All exons, flanking sequences, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the F12 gene of the proband and her family members were analyzed by direct sequencing. Three bioinformatics software was used to analyze the conservation, pathogenicity and protein model of the variant. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No. 2012-17). RESULTS: The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅫ activity (FⅫ:C) and FⅫ antigen (FⅫ:Ag) of the proband was 180.0 s, 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively. DNA sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene, namely c.712_713insT (p.Cys238Leufs *73) in exon 8 and c.1561G>A (p.Glu521Lys) in exon 13. Her mother and younger son were heterozygous for the p.Cys238Leufs*73 variant, while her older son was heterozygous for the p.Glu521Lys variant. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that Cys238 is highly conserved and p.Cys238Leufs*73 is a pathogenic variant, which eventually resulted in a truncated protein. CONCLUSION The c.712_713insT and c.1561G>A compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene probably underlay the decreased FⅫ level in this pedigree, among which c.712_713insT (NM_000505) was unreported previously.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Base Sequence ; China ; Factor XII/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Factor XII Deficiency/genetics* ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the phenotype and genotype of a family with hereditary coagulation factor Ⅹ (FⅩ) deficiency and preliminarily explore its molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: A hereditary FⅩ deficiency pedigree presented at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University on August 13, 2024 was selected as the study subject. Coagulation parameters of the proband and her family members (7 individuals from 3 generations) were measured using a one-stage clotting assay. All of the 8 exons and flanking sequences of the F10 gene were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. Bioinformatics software was used to analyze the functional impact and pathogenicity of the variant proteins, as well as the spatial conformational changes and evolutionary conservation of the mutation sites. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Ethics No.: KY2022-R193). RESULTS: The proband exhibited significantly abnormal prothrombin time (PT, 33.3 s), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT, 47.7 s), and FⅩ activity (FⅩ:C, 3%), while other coagulation parameters remained normal. The plasma thromboplastin generation test (PTGT) demonstrated that the proband and her children had lower thromboplastin generation levels compared with the healthy control group, and the proband's thromboplastin generation capacity was more severely impaired. Genetic analysis revealed that the proband, her daughter, and grandson have all harbored a heterozygous missense variant c.212T>C (p.Phe71Ser) in exon 2 of the F10 gene, which was located in the β-sheet core region of the Gla domain. The variant has altered surrounding hydrogen bonds and disrupted calcium-binding sites. Additionally, the proband, her son, and granddaughter have all carried a heterozygous missense variant c.1270G>T (p.Val424Phe) in exon 8, which increased the side-chain volume, leading to steric hindrance in the catalytic domain and impaired coagulation function. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that both p.Phe71Ser and p.Val424Phe were pathogenic variants, with Phe71 and Val424 being highly conserved residues. CONCLUSION The reduced FⅩ levels in this hereditary FⅩ-deficient family may be attributed to the heterozygous missense variants c.212T>C (p.Phe71Ser) in the exon 2 and c.1270G>T (p.Val424Phe) in the exon 8 of the F10 gene.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; Adult ; Heterozygote ; Mutation ; Middle Aged ; Factor X/genetics* ; Exons ; Factor X Deficiency/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the impact of geometric morphology and hemodynamic characteristics at the carotid bifurcation on the formation of ulcerated plaques based on CT angiography(CTA).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The clinical and imaging data of 71 patients with carotid bifurcation atherosclerotic plaques (stenosis≥50%) confirmed by cranial and cervical CTA at Tianjin TEDA Hospital from July 2020 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into an ulcerated plaque group (32 cases) and a non-ulcerated plaque group (39 cases) based on plaque ulceration status. The CTA technique was used to assess the geometric parameters of the carotid bifurcation [such as the bifurcation angle, the angle between the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery (CCA-ICA), the proximal curvature angle of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the ratio of the maximum area at the carotid bifurcation to the initial area of the carotid artery (CCAMAX/CCA)] and plaque characteristic parameters [such as plaque area at the site of stenosis, maximum wall thickness, remodeling ratio, eccentricity index, and presence of calcification within plaques]. Quantitative analysis of hemodynamic parameters in the plaque region was performed using finite-element analysis software, including time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), transverse wall shear stress (transWSS), relative residence time (RRT), and oscillatory shear index (OSI). Comparisons of parameters between the two groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent geometric and plaque characteristic factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques. A combined model incorporating hemodynamic, geometric, and plaque characteristic parameters was developed, and the efficacy of this combined model in predicting ulceration formation at the carotid bifurcation was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Results:The bifurcation angle, CCA-ICA angle, proximal ICA curvature angle, CCAMAX/CCA ratio, presence of calcification within plaques, plaque area at the site of stenosis, and maximum wall thickness exhibited statistically significant differences between the ulcerated plaque group and the non-ulcerated plaque group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that CCAMAX/CCA ( OR=6.452, 95% CI 1.541-27.015, P=0.011) and plaque area at the site of stenosis ( OR=1.048, 95% CI 1.015-1.124, P=0.011) were independent factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques at the carotid bifurcation. The maximum and mean values of RRT and OSI in the ulcerated plaque group were significantly higher than those in the non-ulcerated group ( P<0.05), while the maximum and mean values of transWSS and TAWSS were lower in the ulcerated group compared to the non-ulcerated group ( P<0.05). The AUC for the combined model predicting ulceration formation at the carotid bifurcation was 0.926. Conclusions:The CCAMAX/CCA ratio and plaque area at the site of stenosis at the carotid bifurcation are independent factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques. A model that combines geometric morphology and hemodynamic parameters can more effectively diagnose the formation of ulcerated plaques at the carotid bifurcation.

Objective:To analyze a Chinese pedigree with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency duo to variants of F12 gene and explore its molecular pathogenesis. Methods:A patient who underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at the Department of Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in June 2012 was selected as the study subject. Coagulation factor indexes of the proband and her family members (5 individuals from three generations) were determined. All exons, flanking sequences, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the F12 gene of the proband and her family members were analyzed by direct sequencing. Three bioinformatics software was used to analyze the conservation, pathogenicity and protein model of the variant. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No. 2012-17). Results:The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅫ activity (FⅫ: C) and FⅫ antigen (FⅫ: Ag) of the proband was 180.0 s, 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively. DNA sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene, namely c. 712_713insT (p.Cys238Leufs *73) in exon 8 and c. 1561G>A (p.Glu521Lys) in exon 13. Her mother and younger son were heterozygous for the p. Cys238Leufs*73 variant, while her older son was heterozygous for the p. Glu521Lys variant. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that Cys238 is highly conserved and p. Cys238Leufs*73 is a pathogenic variant, which eventually resulted in a truncated protein. Conclusion:The c. 712_713insT and c. 1561G>A compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene probably underlay the decreased FⅫ level in this pedigree, among which c. 712_713insT (NM_000505) was unreported previously.

Objective:To investigate the impact of geometric morphology and hemodynamic characteristics at the carotid bifurcation on the formation of ulcerated plaques based on CT angiography(CTA).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The clinical and imaging data of 71 patients with carotid bifurcation atherosclerotic plaques (stenosis≥50%) confirmed by cranial and cervical CTA at Tianjin TEDA Hospital from July 2020 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into an ulcerated plaque group (32 cases) and a non-ulcerated plaque group (39 cases) based on plaque ulceration status. The CTA technique was used to assess the geometric parameters of the carotid bifurcation [such as the bifurcation angle, the angle between the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery (CCA-ICA), the proximal curvature angle of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the ratio of the maximum area at the carotid bifurcation to the initial area of the carotid artery (CCAMAX/CCA)] and plaque characteristic parameters [such as plaque area at the site of stenosis, maximum wall thickness, remodeling ratio, eccentricity index, and presence of calcification within plaques]. Quantitative analysis of hemodynamic parameters in the plaque region was performed using finite-element analysis software, including time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), transverse wall shear stress (transWSS), relative residence time (RRT), and oscillatory shear index (OSI). Comparisons of parameters between the two groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent geometric and plaque characteristic factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques. A combined model incorporating hemodynamic, geometric, and plaque characteristic parameters was developed, and the efficacy of this combined model in predicting ulceration formation at the carotid bifurcation was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Results:The bifurcation angle, CCA-ICA angle, proximal ICA curvature angle, CCAMAX/CCA ratio, presence of calcification within plaques, plaque area at the site of stenosis, and maximum wall thickness exhibited statistically significant differences between the ulcerated plaque group and the non-ulcerated plaque group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that CCAMAX/CCA ( OR=6.452, 95% CI 1.541-27.015, P=0.011) and plaque area at the site of stenosis ( OR=1.048, 95% CI 1.015-1.124, P=0.011) were independent factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques at the carotid bifurcation. The maximum and mean values of RRT and OSI in the ulcerated plaque group were significantly higher than those in the non-ulcerated group ( P<0.05), while the maximum and mean values of transWSS and TAWSS were lower in the ulcerated group compared to the non-ulcerated group ( P<0.05). The AUC for the combined model predicting ulceration formation at the carotid bifurcation was 0.926. Conclusions:The CCAMAX/CCA ratio and plaque area at the site of stenosis at the carotid bifurcation are independent factors influencing the formation of ulcerated plaques. A model that combines geometric morphology and hemodynamic parameters can more effectively diagnose the formation of ulcerated plaques at the carotid bifurcation.

Objective:To analyze a Chinese pedigree with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency duo to variants of F12 gene and explore its molecular pathogenesis. Methods:A patient who underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at the Department of Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in June 2012 was selected as the study subject. Coagulation factor indexes of the proband and her family members (5 individuals from three generations) were determined. All exons, flanking sequences, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the F12 gene of the proband and her family members were analyzed by direct sequencing. Three bioinformatics software was used to analyze the conservation, pathogenicity and protein model of the variant. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No. 2012-17). Results:The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅫ activity (FⅫ: C) and FⅫ antigen (FⅫ: Ag) of the proband was 180.0 s, 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively. DNA sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene, namely c. 712_713insT (p.Cys238Leufs *73) in exon 8 and c. 1561G>A (p.Glu521Lys) in exon 13. Her mother and younger son were heterozygous for the p. Cys238Leufs*73 variant, while her older son was heterozygous for the p. Glu521Lys variant. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that Cys238 is highly conserved and p. Cys238Leufs*73 is a pathogenic variant, which eventually resulted in a truncated protein. Conclusion:The c. 712_713insT and c. 1561G>A compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene probably underlay the decreased FⅫ level in this pedigree, among which c. 712_713insT (NM_000505) was unreported previously.

Objective To explore the optimal phases of reconstructed CT images under different heart rates based on dynamic phantom system simulating the motion of left ventricle and coronary arteries.Methods A dynamic phantom system which could simulate the periodic movements of the heart at 50-120 beats per minute(bpm)and the output of electrocardiogram signals was constructed.CT scanning were performed in the simulated R-R interval,and images were reconstructed with every 10％interval between 0 to 90％phases.Then subjective image quality scoring was performed,and inter-observer consistency of image quality scores was assessed.Finally the qualities of reconstructed images were compared among different phases under different heart rates.Results The inter-observer consistency of subjective imaging quality scores was high(Kendall W=0.83,P＜0.05).Under 50-60 bpm simulated heart rates,good reconstructed image qualities were obtained at most phases,especially at 30％,70％and 80％(all P＜0.05).When simulated heart rates were set as 65-75 bpm,the best reconstructing phases included 40％,70％and 80％(all P＜0.05),and images obtained in diastolic phase were better.Under 80-95 bpm,the best reconstructing phase was 30％(all P＜0.05).When the simulated heart rate reached 100 bpm and above,the reconstructed image qualities were poor at all phases.Conclusion The optimal reconstructed phases were different under different heart rates based on dynamic phantom system simulating the motion of left ventricle and coronary arteries.When the simulated heart rate reached 100 bpm and above,the qualities of reconstructed images were poor under all phases.

A 34 year old female patient was scheduled to undergo surgical resection due to a "breast nodule". Preoperative examination revealed an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of 66.2 seconds, coagulation factor Ⅺ activity (FⅪ: C) of 2%, and FⅪ antigen (FⅪ: Ag) of 40.3%. The patient and family members showed no abnormal bleeding symptoms. Diagnosed as hereditary coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency. Genetic testing revealed that the F11 gene had a heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 10, c.1107C>A (p.Tyr351stop), and a heterozygous missense mutation in exon 13, c.1562A>G (p.Tyr503Cys). The father and son were p Heterozygous carriers of Tyr351stop mutation, while the mother and daughter are p Heterozygous carriers of Tyr503Cys mutations. The in vitro expression results showed that p The Tyr351stop mutation resulted in a significant decrease in the transcription level of F11 gene, while p The Tyr503Cys mutation has no effect on the transcription level and protein expression level of F11 gene, but it leads to a significant decrease in the level of FⅪ:C in the cell culture supernatant.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and gene mutations types of 15 unrelated probands with coagulation factor Ⅴ(FⅤ)deficiency,and explore the possible molecular pathogenesis.Methods FⅤ activity(FⅤ∶C)and FⅤ antigen(FⅤ∶Ag)were detected by one-stage clotting and ELISA,respectively.All 25 exons of the F5 gene in the patients were amplified by PCR,and se-quenced directly.Haplotype analysis was performed with different polymorphisms on FⅤ.Protein modeling was applied to analyze the potential molecular mechanisms.Results Of the 5 probands with an FⅤ∶C greater than 10％,only 1 had minor bleeding symptoms.In the 10 probands with FⅤ∶C less than 10％,seven showed various bleeding manifestations.A total of 12 gene mutations locus were de-tected from 15 probands(8 gene mutations locus were novel mutations,and 1 was pathogenic polymorphism).An in silico analysis pre-liminarily investigated the potential pathogenic mechanism of the mutation.Modeling analysis showed that all the six missense mutations would lead to conformational alterations in the FⅤ protein.Among them,two(p.Ser1781 Arg and p.Asp96His)would decrease hydro-gen bonds.Conclusion The level of FⅤ in these probands with inherited FⅤ deficiency were associated with mutations in the respec-tive F5 gene,and the FⅤ levels strongly correlated with the probability of hemorrhage.

Objective:To analyze the types of genetic variants and clinical characteristics of three Chinese pedigrees affected with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅶ (FⅦ) deficiency.Methods:Three pedigrees who had visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between December 2021 and October 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and FⅦ activity (FⅦ: C) were measured in the three probands and their pedigree members. All exons and their flanking sequences were analyzed by direct sequencing, and candidate variants were verified by reverse sequencing. The corresponding variant loci in the family members were also analyzed. ClustalX-2.1-win was used to analyze the conservation of the variant loci. Varcards and Spcards online software was used to predict the pathogenicity of the variants. Pymol software was used to analyze the changes in protein structure and molecular forces.Results:Three cases of hereditary FⅦ deficiency were found to have decreased FⅦ: C, prolonged PT and normal APTT. Genetic analysis identified a total of four genetic variants, and all three probands had harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F7 gene, including p. Cys389Gly and p. His408Gln in proband 1, p. Cys389Gly and IVS6+ 1G>T in proband 2, and IVS6+ 1G>T and IVS1a+ 5G>A in proband 3. Conservation analysis showed that both the p. Cys389 and p. His408 loci are highly conserved among orthologous species. Analysis with Varcards and Spcards software showed that these variants were pathogenic. Protein modeling analysis showed that the p. Cys389Gly and p. His408Gln variants may result in altered protein structures and changes in hydrogen bonds. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of the three FⅦ-deficient probands may be attributed to the compound heterozygous variants of p. Cys389Gly/p.His408Gln, p. Cys389Gly/ⅠⅤS6+ 1G>T and ⅠⅤS6+ 1G>T/ⅠⅤS1a+ 5G>A of the F7 gene. The combination of the three compound heterozygous variants was unreported previously.