Objective:To assess the value of combined chromosomal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and/or copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for the prenatal diagnosis for women with advanced maternal ages, and to explore the challenges of prenatal genetic counseling brought by the types of fetal CNVs and uncertainty of related phenotypes.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on 1 841 women with advanced maternal age who underwent interventional prenatal diagnosis at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Xiamen University Affiliated Women and Children′s Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020. Routine chromosomal karyotyping analysis and CMA/CNV-seq detection were carried out.Results:CMA/CNV-seq had detected pathogenic variants in 2 cases which had failed karyotyping analysis. Two hundred and twenty one fetal chromosomal abnormalities were detected by karyotyping analysis, among which 187 were detected by CMA/CNV-seq. CMA/CNV-seq analysis of 23 cases with balanced chromosome structural aberrations and 10 cases with low proportion mosaicisms (including a marker chromosome) had yielded a negative result. In addition, 26 cases (26/1 841, 1.4%) with pathogenic CNVs were discovered among those with a normal karyotype, of which 13 (50.0%) were recurrent CNVs associated with neurocognitive impairment, with 22q11.21 microdeletions and microduplications being the most common types (26.92%).Conclusion:The combination of karyotyping analysis and CMA/CNV-seq not only increased the rate of prenatal diagnosis, but also complemented with each other, which has facilitated genetic counseling and formulation of prenatal diagnosis strategy for the affected families.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perinatal clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of two fetuses with ring chromosome 21 mosaicisms. METHODS: Two fetuses who were diagnosed at the Xiamen Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in November 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the two fetuses were collected. Conventional G-banded karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were carried out for the fetuses and their parents. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasonography of fetus 1 has revealed absence of nasal bone, ventricular septal defect, persistent left superior vena cava, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. Chromosomal karyotyping was 46,X?,dic r(21;21)(p12q22;q22p12)[41]/45,X?,-21[9]. CMA has revealed a 30.00 Mb quadruplication at 21q11.2q22.3 and a 3.00 Mb deletion at 21q22.3. For fetus 2, ultrasonography has revealed pointed echo of the nasal bone. The fetus was found to have a karyotype of 46,X?,r(21)(p12q22)[83]/45,X?,-21[14]/46,X?,dic r(21;21)(p12q22;q22p12)[3]. CMA has revealed a 5.10 Mb quadruplication at 21q22.12q22.3 and a 2.30 Mb deletion at 21q22.3. CONCLUSION The perinatal phenotype of the two fetuses with ring chromosome 21 mosaicisms is related to the duplication of chromosomal segments near the breakpoints of the chromosomal deletions. The combined chromosomal karyotyping and CMA has enabled prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for these families.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Mosaicism ; Ring Chromosomes ; Vena Cava, Superior ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Microarray Analysis ; Fetus/diagnostic imaging*

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behaviors. Although hundreds of ASD risk genes, implicated in synaptic formation and transcriptional regulation, have been identified through human genetic studies, the East Asian ASD cohorts are still under-represented in genome-wide genetic studies. Here, we applied whole-exome sequencing to 369 ASD trios including probands and unaffected parents of Chinese origin. Using a joint-calling analytical pipeline based on GATK toolkits, we identified numerous de novo mutations including 55 high-impact variants and 165 moderate-impact variants, as well as de novo copy number variations containing known ASD-related genes. Importantly, combined with single-cell sequencing data from the developing human brain, we found that the expression of genes with de novo mutations was specifically enriched in the pre-, post-central gyrus (PRC, PC) and banks of the superior temporal (BST) regions in the human brain. By further analyzing the brain imaging data with ASD and healthy controls, we found that the gray volume of the right BST in ASD patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy controls, suggesting the potential structural deficits associated with ASD. Finally, we found a decrease in the seed-based functional connectivity between BST/PC/PRC and sensory areas, the insula, as well as the frontal lobes in ASD patients. This work indicated that combinatorial analysis with genome-wide screening, single-cell sequencing, and brain imaging data reveal the brain regions contributing to the etiology of ASD.
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism* ; Autistic Disorder ; Exome Sequencing ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; East Asian People ; Brain/metabolism* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*

Genetic composition plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Especially, inherited and de novo intronic variants are often seen in patients with ASD. However, the biological significance of intronic variants is difficult to address. Here, among a Chinese ASD cohort, we identified a recurrent inherited intronic variant in the CHD7 gene, which is specifically enriched in East Asian populations. CHD7 has been implicated in numerous developmental disorders including CHARGE syndrome and ASD. To investigate whether the ASD-associated CHD7 intronic variant affects neural development, we established human embryonic stem cells carrying this variant using CRISPR/Cas9 methods and found that the level of CHD7 mRNA significantly decreased compared to control. Upon differentiation towards the forebrain neuronal lineage, we found that neural cells carrying the CHD7 intronic variant exhibited developmental delay and maturity defects. Importantly, we found that TBR1, a gene also implicated in ASD, was significantly increased in neurons carrying the CHD7 intronic variant, suggesting the intrinsic relevance among ASD genes. Furthermore, the morphological defects found in neurons carrying CHD7 intronic mutations were rescued by knocking down TBR1, indicating that TBR1 may be responsible for the defects in CHD7-related disorders. Finally, the CHD7 intronic variant generated three abnormal forms of transcripts through alternative splicing, which all exhibited loss-of-function in functional assays. Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the notion that the intronic variant of CHD7 is potentially an autism susceptibility site, shedding new light on identifying the functions of intronic variants in genetic studies of autism.

Objective:To explore the application of weighted adjustments of dropout rates in sensitivity analysis of medically repeated measurements data and the implementation with SAS 9.4 software.Methods:By compiling SAS codes, mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used to conduct the covariance analysis of multivariable repeated measurements data. Meanwhile, the overall dropout rate and the dropout rates of each group were used to make weighted adjustments by applying pattern-mixture models, which was considered to be a sensitivity analysis to validate the stability of results.Results:The dropout rates of placebo group, low-dose and high-dose groups were 8.77%, 11.79% and 16.15%, respectively, the differences were significant ( P=0.025). The results of mixed-effects models for repeated measures showed the differences of curative effect indicators changes from baselines of between high-dose, low-dose groups and placebo group were significant ( P=0.008 and P=0.002). The results of pattern-mixture models considering weighted adjustments of the respective groups' dropout rates were consistent with those of mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Conclusions:The pattern-mixture models considering weighted adjustments of dropout rates can be used in the sensitivity analysis of repeated measurements data. The SAS codes can provide a practical basis for the popularization and application of weighted adjustments of dropout rates in the sensitivity analysis of repeated measurements data.

Objective:To study the patterns of tocilizumab (TCZ) use, its efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine clinical practice.Methods:A total of 407 patients with RA were enrolled from 23 centers and treated with TCZ within 8 weeks prior to the enrollment visit, and were followed for 6-month. The patterns of TCZ treatment at 6 months, the effectiveness and safety outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4.Results:A total of 396 patients were included for analysis, in which 330 (83.3%) patients received TCZ combined with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), and 16.7%(66/396) received TCZ monotherapy. At baseline, TCZ was initiated in 56.6%(224/396) and 9.6%(38/396) of patients after failure of DMARDs and other biological agents (bDMARDs) respectively. During the 6-month follow-up period, the mean frequency of TCZ administration was (3.7±1.6), the mean TCZ dosage was (7.4±1.2) mg/kg, and the mean interval between doses was (40±13) days. 120(25.8%) patients were on TCZ treatment at the end of the study. Improvements in disease activity, systemic symptoms and patient report outcomes were observed at the end of the study. 22.7%(90/396) patients experienced at least one treatment related adverse event, and 8 patients experienced at least one serious adverse event.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that TCZ treatment is effective in patients with RA when being treated for 6 months with an acceptable safety profile. The duration of TCZ treatment needs to be extended.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on oxidative stress,autophagy response and neurobehavioral outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods TBI animal models were established using Feeney's method.Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group (group Sham),Sham + glutamine supplementation group (group Sham+ GLN),traumatic brain injury group (group TBI),and TBI + glutamine supplementation group (group TBI+ GLN).We measured rat behavioral outcomes by modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) tests at day 1,3,7 and 14 after TBI.The apoptosis neurons in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by TUNEL staining.The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested by ROS kits.Oxidative stress and autophagy related cytokines (HO-1,NQO1,Nrf2,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1) were tested with Western blotting.Results Compared with the TBI group,the neurological function was improved [(9.79±0.43) vs.(8.43±0.30),F =6.775,P =0.010] and the apoptosis rate decreased (19.88％ ± 1.60％ vs.15.35％ ± 1.28％,P =0.013) in the TBI+ GLN group after 7-day treatment.Compared with the Sham group,the protein expression of ROS increased (P=0.000),and the expression of anti-oxidative stress factors (HO-1,NQO1) and Nrf2 pathway significantly decreased in the TBI group.After glutamine supplementation was given,the expression of ROS decreased and the expressions of HO-1 and NQO1 increased.The Nrf2 pathway and autophagy response also were activated with the expressions of Nrf2,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 increasing.Conclusion Glutamine supplementation can markedly reduce neuron apoptosis and improve neurological outcomes after TBI,thus has the protective effect on nerves by inhibiting TBI-induced oxidative stress response,activating Nrf2 pathway and autophagy response.

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.

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

Objective To investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on neurologica severity score,brain edema,neuron apoptosis,and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods TBI rat models were established using modified Feeney's method.Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups with a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group),TBI group,Gln supplementation group (TBI + Gln group) and ERS inducer 2-deoxy-D-glucose group (TBI +Gln + 2-DG group).We measured the rats' neurobehavioral outcomes by modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) on day 1,3,7 and 14 after TBI.Neuron apoptosis was detected using TUNEL staining.Brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase3,and Bcl-2) and ERS-related cytokines [inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)] expressions in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot.Results Compared with the Sham group,the levels of brain edema,mNSS,apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase-3,Bcl-2) and ERS-related proteins (IRE-1,CHOP) were significantly increased in the other three groups (all P =0.00).Compared with the TB1 group,the TBI +Gln group showed significant lower brain water content [3 d:(81.39±0.59)％ vs.(83.54±0.52)％,P=0.04;7 d:(74.86±0.38)％ vs.(77.32±0.66)％,P=0.03],improved mNSS (8.63 ±0.22 vs.10.37±0.29,P=0.03),suppressed expressions of apoptosis-and ERS-related proteins (caspase-12,caspase-3,IRE-1,and CHOP)(P =0.01,P ＜ 0.01),and increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (P =0.02).Compared withthe TBI + Gln group,the expression of ERS-related factors (IRE-1 and CHOP),brain edema level,and neurological severity were increased in the TBI + Glu + 2-DG group.Conclusion Glutamine supplementation may have neuroprotection function,demonstrated as reducing brain edema and neuron apoptosis,and improving neurobehaviroal outcomes after TBI,possibly mediated by inhibiting TBI-induced ERS response.