OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotype-phenotype correlation in a Chinese family with structural brain abnormalities due to variant of the TUBB gene. METHODS: A family undergoing prenatal diagnosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were collected. Amniotic fluid sample was subjected to chromosomal copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). Trio whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES) was carried out on the amniotic fluid and parental blood samples, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2023-KY-076-01). RESULTS: Both prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI showed deviation of brain midline, unilateral lateral ventriculomegaly, and bilateral gyral asymmetry. Trio-WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a maternally derived heterozygous missense variant of the TUBB gene [NM_178014.4: c.155A>G (p.N52S)]. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the woman and a previously terminated fetus both harbored the same variant. Both the proband and two fetuses exhibited similar neuroimaging abnormalities including midline deviation and asymmetrical gyri. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PS2_Moderate+PS3). CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.155A>G (p.N52S) variant was the TUBB gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of the structural brain abnormalities in this family. Above findings have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with the variant and facilitated the prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Tubulin/genetics* ; Adult ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Pedigree ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Genetic Association Studies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) on the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). METHODS: Three pregnant women who underwent NIPT testing at Guangdong Women and Children's from November 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The three women had either vanish twin syndrome or had undergone fetal reduction for other reasons in one of their twins, and were subsequently subject to NIPT, chromosome karyotyping, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethics No.: 20230132). RESULTS: Case 1 underwent selective fetal reduction at 8⁺ weeks of gestation. At 17⁺ weeks, NIPT showed a fetal DNA fraction of 2.806%, with results indicating the presence of Y chromosome and abnormal sex chromosome ratios. However, the women had subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery of a female infant, and no abnormality noted. Case 2 experienced spontaneous demise of one twin at 13 weeks' gestation. At 19 weeks, NIPT indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 4.671) in the surviving fetus, but subsequent evaluation showed no abnormality. Case 3, a dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy, underwent selective reduction at 13⁺ weeks due to fetal abnormalities in one twin. At 22⁺ weeks, NIPT for the surviving fetus indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 17.549), but subsequent evaluation was unremarkable. CONCLUSION In twin pregnancies, the relatively low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration can compromise the success rate and accuracy of NIPT compared to singleton pregnancies. Residual DNA from the demised fetus may persist for weeks following VTS or selective reduction, potentially causing false-positive NIPT results and interfering with sex chromosome prediction for the surviving fetus. Additionally, determining chorionicity is critical for reliable interpretation of NIPT results in twin pregnancies.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Diseases in Twins/diagnosis* ; Karyotyping ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 64Cu-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-Q compared with 18F-FDG in patients with advanced prostate cancer and to analyze the radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q. Methods:This study was an open-label, single-arm, self-controlled diagnostic evaluation trial. A total of 29 patients (age 58-87 years) with pathologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from September 2023 to December 2023 were included. All patients underwent both 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. McNemar test was used to compare the detection rates of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary lesions, lymph node metastases, and bone metastases. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare differences in SUV max and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) between 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT imaging was performed using OLINDA/EXM 2.1 (adult male model) in 9 patients. Results:Primary lesions were detected in 21 patients. 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT demonstrated a detection rate of 95.2%(20/21) for primary lesions, which was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (66.7%(14/21); χ2=6.00, P=0.031). Detection rates of lymph node metastases were 65.5%(19/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 55.2%(16/29) for 18F-FDG, with no significant difference ( χ2=3.00, P=0.250). Similarly, detection rates of bone metastases were 72.4%(21/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 65.5%(19/29) for 18F-FDG respectively ( χ2=2.00, P=0.500). TBRs on 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT were significantly higher than those on 18F-FDG PET/CT across primary lesions (8.3(2.2, 13.3) vs 2.3(1.0, 5.5); Z=7.16, P=0.002), regional lymph node metastases (4.9(1.4, 8.3) vs 1.7(0.9, 4.0), Z=189.34, P=0.001), and bone metastases (18.7(4.5, 26.9) vs 5.1(2.1, 9.7); Z=24.83, P=0.003). No significant difference in TBR was observed for distant lymph node metastases ( Z=1.49, P=0.135) or benign lesions ( Z=0.91, P=0.558). The whole-body effective dose of 64Cu-PSMA-Q was (28.200±1.590)μSv/MBq among the 9 patients analyzed, with no adverse events related to the tracer observed. Conclusion:64Cu-PSMA-Q is a promising novel PET imaging agent with potential clinical utility for diagnosing prostate cancer and supporting clinical decision-making.

Objective:To assess the impact of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) on the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).Methods:Three pregnant women who underwent NIPT testing at Guangdong Women and Children′s from November 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The three women had either vanish twin syndrome or had undergone fetal reduction for other reasons in one of their twins, and were subsequently subject to NIPT, chromosome karyotyping, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethic No.: 20230132).Results:Case 1 underwent selective fetal reduction at 8 + weeks of gestation. At 17 + weeks, NIPT showed a fetal DNA fraction of 2.806%, with results indicating the presence of Y chromosome and abnormal sex chromosome ratios. However, the women had subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery of a female infant, and no abnormality noted. Case 2 experienced spontaneous demise of one twin at 13 weeks′ gestation. At 19 weeks, NIPT indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 ( Z-score 4.671) in the surviving fetus, but subsequent evaluation showed no abnormality. Case 3, a dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy, underwent selective reduction at 13 + weeks due to fetal abnormalities in one twin. At 22 + weeks, NIPT for the surviving fetus indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 17.549), but subsequent evaluation was unremarkable. Conclusion:In twin pregnancies, the relatively low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration can compromise the success rate and accuracy of NIPT compared to singleton pregnancies. Residual DNA from the demised fetus may persist for weeks following VTS or selective reduction, potentially causing false-positive NIPT results and interfering with sex chromosome prediction for the surviving fetus. Additionally, determining chorionicity is critical for reliable interpretation of NIPT results in twin pregnancies.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 64Cu-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-Q compared with 18F-FDG in patients with advanced prostate cancer and to analyze the radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q. Methods:This study was an open-label, single-arm, self-controlled diagnostic evaluation trial. A total of 29 patients (age 58-87 years) with pathologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from September 2023 to December 2023 were included. All patients underwent both 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. McNemar test was used to compare the detection rates of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary lesions, lymph node metastases, and bone metastases. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare differences in SUV max and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) between 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT imaging was performed using OLINDA/EXM 2.1 (adult male model) in 9 patients. Results:Primary lesions were detected in 21 patients. 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT demonstrated a detection rate of 95.2%(20/21) for primary lesions, which was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (66.7%(14/21); χ2=6.00, P=0.031). Detection rates of lymph node metastases were 65.5%(19/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 55.2%(16/29) for 18F-FDG, with no significant difference ( χ2=3.00, P=0.250). Similarly, detection rates of bone metastases were 72.4%(21/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 65.5%(19/29) for 18F-FDG respectively ( χ2=2.00, P=0.500). TBRs on 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT were significantly higher than those on 18F-FDG PET/CT across primary lesions (8.3(2.2, 13.3) vs 2.3(1.0, 5.5); Z=7.16, P=0.002), regional lymph node metastases (4.9(1.4, 8.3) vs 1.7(0.9, 4.0), Z=189.34, P=0.001), and bone metastases (18.7(4.5, 26.9) vs 5.1(2.1, 9.7); Z=24.83, P=0.003). No significant difference in TBR was observed for distant lymph node metastases ( Z=1.49, P=0.135) or benign lesions ( Z=0.91, P=0.558). The whole-body effective dose of 64Cu-PSMA-Q was (28.200±1.590)μSv/MBq among the 9 patients analyzed, with no adverse events related to the tracer observed. Conclusion:64Cu-PSMA-Q is a promising novel PET imaging agent with potential clinical utility for diagnosing prostate cancer and supporting clinical decision-making.

Objective:To assess the impact of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) on the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).Methods:Three pregnant women who underwent NIPT testing at Guangdong Women and Children′s from November 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The three women had either vanish twin syndrome or had undergone fetal reduction for other reasons in one of their twins, and were subsequently subject to NIPT, chromosome karyotyping, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethic No.: 20230132).Results:Case 1 underwent selective fetal reduction at 8 + weeks of gestation. At 17 + weeks, NIPT showed a fetal DNA fraction of 2.806%, with results indicating the presence of Y chromosome and abnormal sex chromosome ratios. However, the women had subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery of a female infant, and no abnormality noted. Case 2 experienced spontaneous demise of one twin at 13 weeks′ gestation. At 19 weeks, NIPT indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 ( Z-score 4.671) in the surviving fetus, but subsequent evaluation showed no abnormality. Case 3, a dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy, underwent selective reduction at 13 + weeks due to fetal abnormalities in one twin. At 22 + weeks, NIPT for the surviving fetus indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 17.549), but subsequent evaluation was unremarkable. Conclusion:In twin pregnancies, the relatively low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration can compromise the success rate and accuracy of NIPT compared to singleton pregnancies. Residual DNA from the demised fetus may persist for weeks following VTS or selective reduction, potentially causing false-positive NIPT results and interfering with sex chromosome prediction for the surviving fetus. Additionally, determining chorionicity is critical for reliable interpretation of NIPT results in twin pregnancies.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness and feasibility of carrier detection for Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by using digital PCR assay.Methods:Peripheral blood samples were collected from 214 pregnant women who were routinely screened for SMA carriers, of which 204 were randomly selected samples and 10 were samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were randomly mixed into the experiment to validate the performance of the digital PCR assay. The copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 and SMN2 exons 7 and 8 in peripheral blood samples were detected by digital PCR assay. The results of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were compared with those of the quantitative PCR method to assess the reliability and clinical performance of the digital PCR assay. Results:Among the 204 random samples, digital PCR has detected five samples with simultaneous heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8, three samples with heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 8 only, and 196 samples with no deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Ten samples with known SMN1 exons 7 and 8 copy numbers were detected with the expected values. The digital PCR test results were fully consistent with that of the quantitative PCR. Conclusion:The results of digital PCR for the detection of copy number variation of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were consistent with qPCR. Digital PCR assay was able to clearly distinguish the copy number of the target genes, therefore can be used for SMA carrier screening. Moreover, it can also detect copy number of SMN2 exons 7 and 8, which can provide more information for genetic counseling.

Objective To observe the changes of quadriceps tendon in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients based on ultrasonic elastography.Methods Data of 80 T2DM patients(T2DM group)and 80 healthy subjects(control group)were retrospectively analyzed.The general information and ultrasound elastography parameters,including strain ratio(SR)of the ratio of the proximal,middle and distal segments of quadriceps tendon and ipsilateral anterior femoral fat pad were compared between groups,while the correlations of the above SR with the disease course of T2DM and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)were explored.Results Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in T2DM group were both significantly higher than those in control group(both P＜0.05).Compared with control group,SR of the proximal,middle and distal segments of quadriceps tendon in T2DM group were all significantly higher(all P＜0.05),especially the distal and proximal segments(t=6.01,5.92).In T2DM group,SR of the proximal,middle and distal segments of quadriceps tendon were positively correlated with the disease course of T2DM(r=0.45,0.20,0.43,all P＜0.05)and HbA1c(r=0.44,0.40,0.33,all P＜0.05).Conclusion SR of quadriceps tendon in T2DM patients significantly increased and positively correlated with the course of disease and HbA1c.

Autapses selectively form in specific cell types in many brain regions. Previous studies have also found putative autapses in principal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) in the striatum. However, it remains unclear whether these neurons indeed form physiologically functional autapses. We applied whole-cell recording in striatal slices and identified autaptic cells by the occurrence of prolonged asynchronous release (AR) of neurotransmitters after bursts of high-frequency action potentials (APs). Surprisingly, we found no autaptic AR in SPNs, even in the presence of Sr²⁺. However, robust autaptic AR was recorded in parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons. The autaptic responses were mediated by GABA_A receptors and their strength was dependent on AP frequency and number. Further computer simulations suggest that autapses regulate spiking activity in PV cells by providing self-inhibition and thus shape network oscillations. Together, our results indicate that PV neurons, but not SPNs, form functional autapses, which may play important roles in striatal functions.
Parvalbumins/metabolism* ; Corpus Striatum/metabolism* ; Interneurons/physiology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Neostriatum

Resection is one of the most important treatments for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and routine postoperative follow-up is an effective method for early detection and treatment of recurrent metastases, which can improve patients' quality of life and prognosis. This consensus aims to provide a reference for colleagues responsible for postoperative follow-up of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients in China, and further improve the standardization of the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.