Objective To observe the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI)radiomics for evaluating Parkinson disease(PD).Methods Totally 76 PD patients(PD group)and 80 healthy controls(HC group)were retrospectively analyzed.The subjects were divided into training set(n=125,including 61 PD and 64 HC)and test set(n=31,including 15 PD and 16 HC)at the ratio of 8:2.ROI of bilateral substantia nigra,caudate nucleus,putamen,globus pallidus and thalamus were automatically delineated on mean kurtosis(MK)images of cerebral DKI.The mean MK values(MKmean)of the above ROIs were obtained and compared between groups.Support vector machine(SVM)model was constructed based on 50 selected optimal texture features.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of SVM model for evaluating PD.Results MKmean of bilateral substantia nigra,caudate nucleus and thalamus in PD group were all significantly lower than those in HC group(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of MKmean of bilateral putamen nor globus pallidus was found between groups(all P＞0.05).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and AUC of SVM model for evaluating PD in training set was 86.89％,93.75％,90.40％and 0.982,respectively,which in test set was 86.67％,93.75％,90.32％and 0.958,respectively.Conclusion DKI radiomics could be used to effectively evaluate PD through description of microstructural changes of cerebral nuclei.

Male infertility is a multifactorial disease, of which the cause of male infertility cannot be determined, which is called idiopathic male infertility, and the incidence rate is gradually rising. Because its cause is unknown, it has become a major problem in the department of reproductive endocrinology. With the in-depth study of epigenetics, the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic male infertility also has a new direction, especially the important role of DNA methylation in spermatogenesis and embryonic development. More and more gene fragments and loci have been found by scholars, which makes it possible to achieve accurate identification and targeted treatment. This article reviews and summarizes the research progress of DNA methylation related to idiopathic male infertility in recent years, aiming to further elaborate the pathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility and provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To study the relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration, anemia rate in the third trimester and the altitudes, pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Tibet rural areas.Methods:This prospective study collected clinical and laboratory data of 390 Tibetan pregnant women who delivered after 28 gestational weeks at Chaya People's Hospital, Changdu city, Tibet autonomous region, from May 2020 to March 2021. Blood routine examination was performed at admission and 24-72 h postpartum using an automatic hematologic analyzer. According to the hemoglobin standard adjusted for altitude by World Health Organization (WHO), the association between pregnancy outcomes and maternal hemoglobin levels and anemia rate before and after adjustment were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, and Spearman correlation tests. Results:(1) In these women, the mean actual hemoglobin concentration in the third trimester was (121±16) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 23.8% (93/390) and 20.3% (79/390), respectively. (2) After adjustment, the mean hemoglobin concentration was (93±17) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 84.4% (329/390) and 30.5% (119/390), respectively. (3) Actual hemoglobin levels showed an increasing tendency as the altitude rose. At the altitude of 3 000-3 500 m, >3 500-4 000 m, and >4 000 m, the mean hemoglobin levels were (118±15) g/L, (119±17) g/L, and (124±16) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=7.38, P=0.007). However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia did not differ significantly between different altitude ( P>0.05). (4) Corrected hemoglobin levels were negatively associated with the altitude ( r=－0.31, P<0.001). At the altitude of 3 000~3 500 m, 3 500~4 000 m and >4 000 m, the mean corrected hemoglobin levels were (100±15) g/L, (92±17) g/L, and (87±18) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=30.36, P<0.001). The prevalence of anemia increased with altitude ( χ2trend=15.44, P<0.001), but no association was observed between microcytic hypochromic anemia and altitudes ( P>0.05). (5) No association was found between actual or corrected anemia in the third trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes, nor the hemoglobin level before or after adjustment and neonatal birth weight. Conclusions:In Tibet rural areas, the mean actual hemoglobin level in pregnant women tends to increase with the altitude. However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia remains high and more attention should be paid to iron supplementary during pregnancy. After adjusting hemoglobin concentration based on WHO standard, more women were diagnosed as having anemia during pregnancy in this area, and the applicability of the diagnostic criteria for Tibetan residents requires further investigations.

In China， the incidence of ischemic heart disease （IHD） is increasing year by year， which brings enormous burden to families and society. It is urgent to find preferable treatment methods and medical therapies. The Chinese ethnic minority medicine has gradually developed unique theoretical systems and therapeutic characteristics on the basis of clinical experience and thinking modes including image-number thinking and the holistic perspective. Consequently， it possesses huge application capacity and research value in prevention and treatment of IHD. Belonging to the medical system based on the view of nature and life， the Tibetan medicine， Mongolian medicine， and Dai medicine have respectively formed theories like "three elements" "three life-sustaining energies" "four elements and five skandhas （aggregates）" ， have put forward unique understandings of IHD and have formed corresponding therapeutic principles and methods， generating plentiful classic prescriptions represented by Sanwei Tanxiang powder， Bawei Chenxiang powder， Roukou Wuwei pills and Yajiao Hadun powder. They also contain characteristic ethnic medicine resources such as Choerospondiatis Fructus， Rhodiola Rosea and Draconis Sanguis. Aiming to provide enlightenment and reference for the clinical application and development of the Chinese ethnic minority medicine for the prevention and treatment of IHD， the authors try to summarize the related researches represented by Tibetan and Mongolian medicines， and then discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by such researches.

Objective:To explore the coexisting gene mutations of FLT3-ITD mutation and its association with partial clinical parameters in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The clinical data of 236 newly diagnosed AML outpatients and hospitalized patients of Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital and the Second People's Hospital of Wuxi between December 2012 and August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Genome DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with Sanger sequencing was used to detect FLT3-ITD mutations, and 51 tumor target gene mutations in patients with FLT3-ITD mutations were detected by using high-throughput DNA sequencing combined with Sanger sequencing.Results:Among 236 AML patients, FLT3-ITD mutations were found in 71 cases (30.1%). About 97.2% (69/71) patients with FLT3-ITD mutations were accompanied by additional mutations, of which 19 patients harbored double coexisting genes mutations, 24 patients harbored 3 coexisting genes mutations and 26 patients harbored ≥ 4 coexisting genes mutations. The most common coexisting genes mutations were NPM1 (55 cases, 77.5%), followed by DNMT3A (36 cases, 50.7%), TET2 (9 cases, 12.7%), CEBPA (5 cases, 7.0%), IDH1 (4 cases, 5.6%) and NRAS (4 cases, 5.6%). In FLT3-ITD mutation group, the hemoglobin level of patients with DNMT3A mutation type was lower than that of those with DNMT3A wild type ( t = -2.37, P = 0.020); the hemoglobin level of patients with NPM1 mutation type was higher than that of those with NPM1 wild type ( t = 2.04, P = 0.045). The platelet in patients with 3 mutations and ≥ 4 mutations was higher than that in those with double mutations ( χ2 = 7.72, P = 0.021). After chemotherapy in 71 patients, the curative effect of 66 cases was evaluable, and the white blood count of 18 patients who did not reach complete remission was higher than that of 48 patients who reached complete remission ( Z = -2.74, P = 0.006). Conclusions:Most FLT3-ITD mutated patients with AML commonly show coexisting gene mutations, and the mutation types of coexisting genes are correlated with the clinical features of patients.

Objective:To explore the molecular genetics of myeloid neoplasms in elderly patients.Methods:High-throughput DNA sequencing was performed to detect 49 target gene mutations in 26 patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML)and 51 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS). Genomic DNA-PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to detect the mutations of CALR gene exon 9, NMP1 gene exon 12, FLT3-ITD and the two functional domains, TAD and BZIP, in CEBPA.Results:(1)Of the 77 patients enrolled, the overall incidence of gene mutations was 91.0%(71/77), with an average of 2 mutations per patient and an incidence of 42.9% for the coexistence of 3 or more gene mutations(33/77), and the most common genetic mutations were NPM1, U2AF1, RUNX1, TET2, ASXL1, TP53, DNMT3A, IDH2, BCOR, and FLT3-ITD, and the incidence of other genetic mutations was<10%.(2)The incidence of double gene mutations in the AML group was significantly higher than that in the MDS group, and the incidence of≥3 gene mutations in the MDS group was higher than that in the AML group( P<0.05). The AML group was associated with significantly higher incidences of NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and CEBPA double mutations and lower incidences of BCOR and ASXL1 mutations than those in the MDS group(all P<0.05). Functional classification showed that tyrosine kinase receptor gene mutations mainly occurred in the AML group( P=0.004), while chromatin modified gene mutations mainly occurred in the MDS group( P=0.007). (3)Fifty-one cases with MDS were followed up and 9 cases developed leukemia transformation with an average transformation time of 6.5 months during the period, and the conversion rate of patients with RUNX1 and U2AF1 mutations was 44.4%, which was higher than that of other gene mutations. Conclusions:Elderly patients with myeloid neoplasms have unique gene mutation profiles.The types and frequencies of common myeloid tumor gene mutations are different in AML and MDS, and some gene mutations in patients with MDS are related to leukemia transformation.

Objective To detect ASXL1 gene variants among patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and explore their correlation with variants of other genes and clinical features of patients.Methods For 149 patients with MDS,genomic DNA was amplified by PCR and subject to direct sequencing to identify variants of ASXL1,U2AF1,SF3B1,DNMT3A,TET2,IDH1/2,NPM1,FLT3-ITD and C-KIT genes.Results ASXL1 variants were found among 37 patients (24.8％).Other commonly mutated genes included U2AF1 (22.8％),TET2 (11.4％),DNMT3A (9.4％),NPM1 (8.1％) and SF3B1 (6.0％).The frequency of concurrent U2AF1 and TET2 variants among patients with ASXL1 variants was slightly higher than that of wild-type patients.No significant difference was found in median age,MDS subtype,karyotype,peripheral leukocytes,hemoglobin,platelet levels,and bone marrow blast counts between the ASXL1-variant and the wild-type groups (P＞0.05).Twenty-nine patients harboring ASXL1 variants were followed up,37.9％ progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).The rate of transformation in ASXL1-variant group was significantly higher than the wild-type group (37.9 ％ vs.14.1％,P＜0.01).Conclusion ASXL1showed a high frequency of variant among MDS patients,which was frequently accompanied with U2AF1 and TET2 variants.Compared with the wild type group,patients with ASXL1 variants were more likely to progress to AML.

Objective: To carry out mutation analysis for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and a normal karyotype. Methods: Targeted capture and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was carried out using a customized 49-gene panel. FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), CALR, NPM1 and CEBPA mutations were detected by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results: Sixty two patients (80.5%) were found to harbor at least one mutation. Each patient has carried 2.21 mutations in average. Coexistence of ≥ 3 mutations was common (43.7%). The most commonly mutated genes were RUNX1 (23.4%, 18/77), ASXL1 (18.2%, 14/77), NPM1 (15.6%, 12/77), U2AF1 (15.6%, 12/77), DNMT3A (11.7%, 9/77). Patients with SF3B1 mutations were significantly older than those with ASXL1 mutations (P=0.023). Mutations of the DNMT3A gene were significantly associated with the blood platelet level compared with BCOR mutations (P=0.02). No significant difference was found in the number and rate of mutations between those under or above 60-year-old. Among 67 patients with clinical follow-up, 20 (29.8%) has transformed to acute myeloid leukemia, and the time of transformation has ranged from 1 to 44 months, with a average of 5.3 months. RUNX1, U2AF1 and FLT3 mutations are associated with leukemic transformation. Conclusion Coexistence of ≥ 3 mutations are frequent among patients with normal-karyotype MDS. Certain mutations are associated with age and leukemic transformation.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the mutational profile of patients with core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML). METHODS: A total of 81 acute myeloid leukemia patients were recruited, which included 36 cases of CBF-AML and 45 cases of cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) . Mutations of FLT3-ITD, FLT3-TKD, NPM1, c-KIT, NRAS, KRAS, TET2, IDH1/2, RUNX1, DNMT3A, GATA2, ASjXL1, TP53, PTPN11, JAK2V617F, SETBP1 and CEBPA genes were simultaneously detected by DNA-based PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Over all, mutations were detected in 68 patients (83.9%), with the most common ones including double CEBPA mutations (n=17), followed by NPM1 (n=15), c-KIT (n=11), NRAS (n=10), TET2 (n=9), FLT3-TKD (n=9), FLT3-ITD (n=8), IDH1 (n=7), RUNX1 (n=7), KRAS (n=7), DNMT3A (n=6), IDH2 (n=4), and GATA2 (n=4) mutations. AML1-ETO and CBFβ-MYH11 fusions were present in 21 and 15 patients, respectively. Coexistence of ≥2 mutations was more common in CN-AML comparing with CBF-AML. The mutation rate of NPM1, FLT3-ITD, DNMT3A, IDH1 and CEBPA double mutations were higher in patients with CN-AML. NRAS, c-KIT and KRAS mutations were identified more frequently in patients with CBF-AML (P<0.05). Based on the function, aberration of genes involved in DNA methylation, NPM1 proteins and transcription predominated in CN-AML, while tyrosine kinase receptor signaling and RAS pathways have predominated in CBF-AML. CONCLUSION The genomic landscape of CBF-AML patients has differed from that of CN-AML patients. Synergy of fusion genes with particular mutations may impact the clinical phenotype and prognosis of patients.
Core Binding Factors ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Mutation ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the molecular genetics of 81 patients with acute monocytic leukemia (AML). METHODS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was employed to detect MLL gene rearrangements. Combined mutations of 17 genes were detected by DNA-based PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Sixty seven patients were found to harbor at least one mutation. The most commonly mutated gene was NPM1 (n=18), which was followed by FLT3-ITD (n=16), NRAS (n=16), DNMT3A (n=15), TET2 (n=12), RUNX1 (n=11) and KRAS (n=9). Based on the functions of mutated genes, the most frequently involved genes were those involved in DNA methylation (38.27%), tyrosine kinase receptor signaling (32.1%), transcription regulation (28.4%), and RAS pathway (24.7%). Single gene mutation predominated in patient with cytogenetic abnormalities, while coexistence of 2 mutations have predominated in patient with normal cytogenetic findings. Stratified by cytogenetic findings, patients with single gene mutations (intermediate-risk group) had significantly higher complete remission (CR) rates than those with ≥2 gene mutations (unfavorable-risk group) (91.7% vs. 57.6% , 87.5% vs. 25.0%, P =0.0319, 0.0117, respectively). CONCLUSION Over 80% of AML patients were found to harbor at least one mutation. Their clinical phenotype and prognosis may be impacted by the synergy of MLL gene rearrangement and multiple mutations. For patients under the same risk stratification, the number of mutations is reversely correlated with the CR rate.
Cytogenetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3