The exploration of pathogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome plays a pivotal role in the study of human disease-associated genetic mutations. However, there remains a lack of suitable high-throughput screening platforms to investigate the impact of point mutations on genomic structure and function. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated base editors has enabled large-scale annotation of the human genome and phenotypic characterization of monogenic genetic disorders. Base editors, a precise gene-editing technology capable of achieving targeted base substitutions, can be employed to induce mutations at specific functional sites, thereby observing their effects on gene expression, protein function, and cellular phenotypes. Furthermore, integrating base editors with high-throughput screening technologies allows for the large-scale evaluation of multiple candidate sites, accelerating the identification of functional loci and providing a powerful tool for disease research and therapeutic target discovery. This article aims to introduce the working principles of various base editors, including cytosine base editors, adenine base editors, and prime editors, and summarize recent advances in high-throughput screening of functional genomic sites using base-editing techniques.

This report described a fetus with prenatal ultrasound findings of microcephaly, lateral ventriculomegaly, and shallow lateral Sylvian fissures, ultimately diagnosed with complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 4 through family-based whole-exome sequencing. At 25 weeks of gestation, prenatal ultrasound revealed fetal microcephaly, mild ventriculomegaly, and shallow Sylvian fissures. Neither chromosomal karyotyping nor chromosomal microarray analysis detected abnormalities. Family-based whole-exome sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous missense variant in TUBG1 gene [c.511G>C (p.Val171Leu)], leading to a diagnosis of complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 4. Following genetic counseling, the pregnancy was terminated.

The exploration of pathogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome plays a pivotal role in the study of human disease-associated genetic mutations. However, there remains a lack of suitable high-throughput screening platforms to investigate the impact of point mutations on genomic structure and function. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated base editors has enabled large-scale annotation of the human genome and phenotypic characterization of monogenic disorders. Base editors, a precise gene-editing technique capable of achieving targeted base substitutions, can be employed to induce mutations at specific functional sites, thereby observing their effects on gene expression, protein function, and cellular phenotypes. Furthermore, integrating base editors with high-throughput screening technologies allows for large-scale evaluation of multiple candidate sites, accelerating the identification of functional loci and providing a powerful tool for disease research and therapeutic target discovery. This article aims to introduce the working principles of various base editors, including cytosine base editors, adenine base editors, and prime editors, and summarize recent advances in high-throughput screening of functional genomic sites using base-editing techniques.
Humans ; Gene Editing/methods* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Genome, Human ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Hepatolenticular degeneration, also known as Wilson's disease, is a type of autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism. The causative gene, ATP7B, is located on the long arm of chromosome 13 and encodes a P-type ATPase that is involved in copper transport. Pathogenic mutations in the ATP7B gene sequence lead to the diminished or lost function of the ATP7B protein, resulting in pathological copper deposition in organs such as the liver, brain, kidneys, and cornea. Currently, the treatment of Wilson's disease primarily involves oral medications to promote copper excretion or reduce copper absorption so as to alleviate the state of illness. However, pharmacological treatment has objective limitations, including the need for lifelong therapy and varying degrees of adverse drug reactions in some patients. Gene therapy can fully correct the genetic defect, restore ATP7B protein function, achieve a curative effect, and improve the patient's quality of life.

The exploration of pathogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome plays a pivotal role in the study of human disease-associated genetic mutations. However, there remains a lack of suitable high-throughput screening platforms to investigate the impact of point mutations on genomic structure and function. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated base editors has enabled large-scale annotation of the human genome and phenotypic characterization of monogenic genetic disorders. Base editors, a precise gene-editing technology capable of achieving targeted base substitutions, can be employed to induce mutations at specific functional sites, thereby observing their effects on gene expression, protein function, and cellular phenotypes. Furthermore, integrating base editors with high-throughput screening technologies allows for the large-scale evaluation of multiple candidate sites, accelerating the identification of functional loci and providing a powerful tool for disease research and therapeutic target discovery. This article aims to introduce the working principles of various base editors, including cytosine base editors, adenine base editors, and prime editors, and summarize recent advances in high-throughput screening of functional genomic sites using base-editing techniques.

Hepatolenticular degeneration, also known as Wilson's disease, is a type of autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism. The causative gene, ATP7B, is located on the long arm of chromosome 13 and encodes a P-type ATPase that is involved in copper transport. Pathogenic mutations in the ATP7B gene sequence lead to the diminished or lost function of the ATP7B protein, resulting in pathological copper deposition in organs such as the liver, brain, kidneys, and cornea. Currently, the treatment of Wilson's disease primarily involves oral medications to promote copper excretion or reduce copper absorption so as to alleviate the state of illness. However, pharmacological treatment has objective limitations, including the need for lifelong therapy and varying degrees of adverse drug reactions in some patients. Gene therapy can fully correct the genetic defect, restore ATP7B protein function, achieve a curative effect, and improve the patient's quality of life.

This report described a fetus with prenatal ultrasound findings of microcephaly, lateral ventriculomegaly, and shallow lateral Sylvian fissures, ultimately diagnosed with complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 4 through family-based whole-exome sequencing. At 25 weeks of gestation, prenatal ultrasound revealed fetal microcephaly, mild ventriculomegaly, and shallow Sylvian fissures. Neither chromosomal karyotyping nor chromosomal microarray analysis detected abnormalities. Family-based whole-exome sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous missense variant in TUBG1 gene [c.511G>C (p.Val171Leu)], leading to a diagnosis of complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 4. Following genetic counseling, the pregnancy was terminated.

Objective To understand the carrying situation and common variation of pathogenic genes of single gene hereditary disease in childbearing age population in Anhui province,to explore the establishment of clinical application network and referral model of carrier screening in Anhui province,and to explore the application value of expansible carrier screening(expanded carrier screening,ECS)in clinic.Methods Samples were collected from 604 individuals of childbearing age,all exhibiting a normal phenotype and a family history of inherited dis-ease.These samples were obtained during the first trimester or early stages of pregnancy(≤13+6 weeks).Based on high-throughput sequencing and special PCR analysis techniques,pathogenic variants associated with 220 disea-ses were detected,and related genes were detected in the spouses of positive carriers.Results As of May 16,2023,604 tested samples had been collected,and 340 carriers of the target disease had been detected;The posi-tive rate of pathogenic variation detection was 56.29％ ;A total of 499 pathogenic variants were detected,with each tested individual carrying 0-5 variants;216 cases,accounting for 35.76％ ,carried a single gene recessive dis-ease pathogenic variation,which was the most common.There were 95 cases carrying two types of single gene re-cessive genetic disease pathogenic variation,accounting for 15.73％ .As of now,302 couples have been reported,and a total of 7 high-risk couples have been found through screening,with a high-risk rate of 2.32％ .There are a total of 5 pairs with autosomal recessive genetic pattern(both spouses carry the same pathogenic gene),and 2 pairs with X-linked genetic pattern(the female carries the X-linked pathogenic gene).Conclusion In this study,we obtained the overall carrier and clinical application of target diseases as well as the carrier rates of causative genes of common single-gene genetic diseases in 604 subjects who underwent ECS testing,which could provide scientific guidance for the establishment of a clinical application network and referral model for carrier screening in Anhui Province.

OBJECTIVES: Safe and effective anticoagulation is essential for hemodialysis patients who are at high risk of bleeding. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two-stage regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) combined with sequential anticoagulation and standard calcium-containing dialysate in intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) treatment. METHODS: Patients at high risk of bleeding who underwent IHD from September 2019 to May 2021 were prospectively enrolled in 13 blood purification centers of nephrology departments, and were randomly divided into RCA group and saline flushing group. In the RCA group, 0.04 g/mL sodium citrate was infused from the start of the dialysis line during blood draining and at the venous expansion chamber. The sodium citrate was stopped after 3 h of dialysis, which was changed to sequential dialysis without anticoagulant. The hazard ratios for coagulation were according to baseline. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients and 208 sessions were enrolled, including RCA group (80 patients, 110 sessions) and saline flushing group (79 patients, 98 sessions). The incidence of severe coagulation events of extracorporeal circulation in the RCA group was significantly lower than that in the saline flushing group (3.64% vs. 20.41%, P<0.001). The survival time of the filter pipeline in the RCA group was significantly longer than that in the saline flushing group ((238.34±9.33) min vs. (221.73±34.10) min, P<0.001). The urea clearance index (Kt/V) in the RCA group was similar to that in the saline flushing group with no statistically significant difference (1.12±0.34 vs. 1.08±0.34, P=0.41). CONCLUSIONS Compared with saline flushing, the two-stage RCA combined with a sequential anticoagulation strategy significantly reduced extracorporeal circulation clotting events and prolonged the dialysis time without serious adverse events.
Humans ; Citric Acid/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium Citrate ; Hemorrhage/chemically induced* ; Citrates/adverse effects* ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects* ; Renal Dialysis/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE：To establish the UPLC fingerprint of Polygonum cuspidatum ，and to determine the contents of four active ingredients and to provide reference for the quality evaluation of P. cuspidatum . METHODS ：The determination was performed on Waters BEH C 18 column（100 mm×2.1 mm，1.7 μm）with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile- 0.2％ formic acid （gradient elution ）at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The column temperature was 40 ℃，and detection wavelength was 290 nm. The sample size was 1 μL. The fingerprints were evaluated by similarity calculation，cluster analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）. Using polydatin as internal standard ，relative calibration factors of resveratrol ，emodin-8-O- β-D-glucoside and emodin were determined to develop a method of QAMS. The contents of 4 above components in 15 batches of P. cuspidatum were calculated by relative calibration factors. The results of QAMS were compared with those of external standard. RESULTS：UPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of P. cuspidatum were established ，and 12 common peaks were confirmed. Five components were identified ，i.e. polydatin ，resveratrol，emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside，emodin，emodin methyl ether. The fingerprint similarity of 15 batches of P. cuspidatum was in the range of 0.865-0.976. According to cluster analysis ，15 batches of P. cuspidatum were classified into 4 categories，showing certain regularity of origin. Seven markers were identified by OPLS-DA method. The order of difference significance was peak 7＞emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside＞resveratrol＞peak 8＞polydatin＞peak 1＞ peak 10. The relative deviation among the contents of resveratrol ，emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside and emodin in 15 batches of P. cuspidatum determined by QAMS and external standard method was less than 5.0％，indicating that there was no significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS ：UPLC fingerprint combined with QAMS method is convenient and reliable for the quality evaluation of P. cuspidatum ；the quality of P. cuspidatum produced in Chongqing and Anhui province is better.