OBJECTIVE: To summarize the genetic diagnosis, low-depth copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and prenatal finding in 7 fetuses with 2p16.3 deletions only involving the NRXN1 gene. METHODS: The 7 fetuses have all been found to have loss of heterozygosity at 2p16.3 by CNV-seq, which were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Specific regions of NRXN1 gene deletions were identified, and the CNVs were verified in their parents. Outcome of the pregnancies were followed up. RESULTS: Among 16 502 prenatal samples, 7 fetuses were found to harbor a 120 kb ~ 900 kb microdeletion in the 2p16.3 region, which yielded a prevalence of 0.424‰. The deleted region mainly involved 50 200 000-51 880 000 positions of chromosome 2 and involved only the NRXN1 gene. All of the 7 fetal CNVs were confirmed by qPCR, including 2 cases with heterozygous deletion of exons 1 to 6, 1 with heterozygous deletion of exons 1 to 19, 1 with heterozygous deletion of exons 19 to 22, and 3 with heterozygous deletion of introns 6 to 7 of the NRXN1 gene. Verification in the parents had found that one deletion was inherited from the father, 1 was from the mother, 2 cases were de novo in origin, whilst the remaining 3 had refused parental verification. After genetic counseling, one couple had elected induced abortion, 1 case has not been born yet, whilst the other 5 cases were born healthy. Follow up had identified no mental abnormalities among the children. CONCLUSION Seven fetuses with heterozygous 2p16.3 deletions only involving the NRXN1 gene were detected by CNV-seq. The specific deletion of the NRXN1 gene was verified by qPCR. Prenatal genetic counseling and fertility guidance has been provided to the particular family by combining the results of CNV testing, pedigree analysis and pregnancy outcome.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules/genetics* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with hydrocephalus. METHODS: The fetus was found to have hydrocephalus upon ultrasonography duringthe second trimester. Following induced abortion, fetal tissue was collected for the extraction of DNA and whole exome sequencing.Sanger sequencing was used to verify the suspected variants in the family. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor a hemizygous c.620A>G (p.Tyr207Cys) variant of the L1CAM gene (OMIM 308840),for which his mother and sister were heterozygous carriers. The same variant was not found in his father, uncle and grandparents.Based on the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The hemizygous c.620A>G (p.Tyr207Cys) variant of the L1CAM gene probably underlay the hydrocephalus in this fetus.
Adult ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus/genetics* ; Male ; Mutation ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To analyze L1CAM gene mutation in a family featuring X-linked recurrent fetal hydrocephalus. METHODS: The family had three pregnancies where a male fetus was detected at 22 weeks with hydrocephalus by ultrasonography. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the parents as well as fetal tissue from the third abortion. The fetal DNA was subjected to testing of folic acid metabolism ability gene and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to detect potential mutation of related genes. Suspected mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Testing of folic acid metabolism ability gene (MTHFR C677T) and CMA were both normal. A c.512G>A (p.Trp171Ter) hemizygous mutation of the L1CAM gene was detected in the fetal tissue, which was inherited from the phenotypically normal mother. The novel mutation was predicted to be pathogenic. CONCLUSION The c.512G>A (p.Trp171Ter) mutation of the L1CAM gene probably underlies the X-linked hydrocephalus in this family. Screening of L1CAM gene variations should be carried out for couples experiencing recurrent fetal hydrocephalus affecting the male gender.
Cerebral Aqueduct ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: The significance of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in gastric carcinoma (GC) is controversial, leading to ambiguous concepts in traditional classifications. This study aimed to determine the prognostic threshold of meaningful NED in GC and clarify its unclear features in existing classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and neural cell adhesion molecule was performed for 945 GC specimens. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and univariate/multivariate models with percentages of NED (PNED) and demographic and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: In total, 275 (29.1%) cases were immunoreactive to at least 1 neuroendocrine (NE) marker. GC-NED was more common in the upper third of the stomach. PNED, and Borrmann's classification and tumor, lymph node, metastasis stages were independent prognostic factors. The cutoff PNED was 10%, beyond which patients had significantly worse outcomes, although the risk did not increase with higher PNED. Tumors with ≥10% NED tended to manifest as Borrmann type III lesion with mixed/diffuse morphology and poorer histological differentiation; the NE components in this population mainly grew in insulae/nests, which differed from the predominant growth pattern (glandular/acinar) in GC with <10% NED. CONCLUSIONS: GC with ≥10% NED should be classified as a distinct subtype because of its worse prognosis, and more attention should be paid to the necessity of additional therapeutics for NE components.
Adenocarcinoma ; Chromogranin A ; Classification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Synaptophysin

neural cell adhesion molecule L1-like protein) present in human plasma was investigated. A total of 1,129 blood samples from 575 breast cancer patients, 454 healthy controls, and 100 patients with other malignancies were used to verify and optimize the assay.RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the MRM-based proteomic assay were 71.6%, 85.3%, and 77%, respectively; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8323. The proteomic assay did not demonstrate diagnostic accuracy in patients with other types of malignancies including thyroid, pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers. The diagnostic performance of the proteomic assay was not associated with the timing of blood sampling before or after anesthesia.CONCLUSION: The data demonstrated that an MRM-based proteomic assay that measures plasma levels of three specific peptides can be a useful tool for breast cancer screening and its accuracy is cancer-type specific.]]>
Anesthesia ; Biomarkers ; Blood Proteins ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Cohort Studies ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Mass Spectrometry ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Peptides ; Plasma ; Proteomics ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a case of recurrent fetal congenital hydrocephalus. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing was carried out for the fetus, the gravida and two of her sisters. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor a c.1765T>C (p.Tyr589His) mutation in exon 14 of the L1CAM gene, which was derived from the gravida. CONCLUSION Male fetuses with recurrent hydrocephalus should be subjected to testing of the L1CAM gene to facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fetus ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 expression level in bone marrow of patients with acute non-M3 myeloid leukemia (AML non-M3), and to understand the biological characteristics of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML expressing lymphoid antigens CD19, CD56 and its effect on the initially induced remission rate and prognosis.

METHODSThe expression level of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 in bone marrow of 200 patients with newly diagnosed AML (non-M3) was detected by real-time fluorescent Q-PCR, the expression level of lymphoid antigens was detected by flow cytometry, and the relationship of the initially induced remission rate (CR1) with the overall survival (OS) rate was analyzed, the CR1 and OS differences also were analyzed between CD56 and CD56 patients as well as CD19 and CD17 patients in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive patients with AML.

RESULTSThe CD56 patients at the initial diagnosis had lower CR1(P<0.05) in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML patients, the CR1 of CD19 patients was higher than that in CD19 patients at the initial diagnosis (P<0.05). The OS of CD56 patients was significantly high in comparison with CD56 patients (P<0.05), while the OS between CD19 patients and CD19 patients was not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONThe bone marrow CD56 in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML patients suggests poor prognosis. The CD19 only correlates with CR1, but does not with OS.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia (SZ) has been associated with the inflammatory-related and immunological pathogenesis. This study investigates the aberration of cytokines in patients with SZ. METHODS: Thirty patients with SZ without antipsychotic treatment for at least two weeks participated. We measured the serum levels of fourteen cytokines at hospital admission and after 8-week antipsychotic treatment. Severity was measured by expanded version of 24-items brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS-E). Repeated measure analyses of variance were conducted. RESULTS: The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was significantly decreased after 8-week antipsychotic treatment than those of before antipsychotic treatment (F=12.15, df=1/30, p=0.002). Neural cell adhesion molecule 1/CD56 (NCAM-1/CD56) was significantly decreased (F=6.61, df=1/30, p=0.016) among those with second-generation antipsychotics but not first-generation antipsychotics treatment. The changes of BPRS-E-manic and BPRS-E-anxiety scores correlated with the baseline IL-1ra (r=-0.393), IL-6 (r=-0.407), and insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (r=-0.446). Additionally, the changes of BPRS-E and BPRS-E-negative scores correlated with the changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (r=0.372) and interferon-gamma (r=0.375). CONCLUSION: Our study supports that IL-1ra and NCAM-1/CD56 may be considered as markers of developing SZ.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Carrier Proteins ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Insulin ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein* ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVE: Repair of sensorial nerve defect is an important issue on peripheric nerve surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of sensory-motor nerve bridging on the denervated dermatomal area, in rats with sensory nerve defects, using a neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). METHODS: We compared the efficacy of end-to-side (ETS) coaptation of the tibial nerve for sural nerve defect repair, in 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group A was the sham operated group, group B rats had sural nerves sectioned and buried in neighboring muscles, group C experienced nerve sectioning and end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis, and group D had sural nerves sectioned and ETS anastomosis was performed using atibial nerve bridge. Neurological evaluation included the skin pinch test and histological evaluation was performed by assessing NCAM expression in nerve terminals. RESULTS: Rats in the denervated group yielded negative results for the skin pinch tests, while animals in the surgical intervention groups (group C and D) demonstrated positive results. As predicted, there were no positively stained skin specimens in the denervated group (group B); however, the surgery groups demonstrated significant staining. NCAM expression was also significantly higher in the surgery groups. However, the mean NCAM values were not significantly different between group C and group D. CONCLUSION: Previous research indicates that ETE nerve repair is the gold standard for peripheral nerve defect repair. However, ETS repair is an effective alternative method in cases of sensorial nerve defect when ETE repair is not possible.
Animals ; Methods ; Muscles ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Sural Nerve* ; Tibial Nerve*

Ependymoma is the third most common pediatric primary brain tumor. Ependymomas are categorized according to their locations and genetic abnormalities, and these two parameters are important prognostic factors for patient outcome. For supratentorial (ST) ependymomas, RELA fusion-positive ependymomas show a more aggressive behavior than YAP1 fusion-positive ependymomas. Extracranial metastases of intra-axial neuroepithelial tumors are extremely rare. In this paper, we report a case of aggressive anaplastic ependymoma arising in the right frontoparietal lobe, which had genetically 1q25 gain, CDKN2A homozygous deletion, and L1CAM overexpression. The patient was a 10-year-old boy who underwent four times of tumor removal and seven times of gamma knife surgery. Metastatic loci were scalp and temporalis muscle overlying primary operation site, lung, liver, buttock, bone, and mediastinal lymph nodes. He had the malignancy for 10 years and died. This tumor is a representative case of RELA fusion-positive ST ependymoma, showing aggressive behavior.
Brain Neoplasms ; Buttocks ; Child ; Ependymoma* ; Genetics ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 ; Scalp ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; Transcription Factor RelA