Objective:By analyzing the clinical phenotypic characteristics and gene sequences of two patients with Treacher Collins syndrome（TCS）, the biological causes of the disease were determined. Then discuss the therapeutic effect of hearing intervention after bone bridge implantation. Methods:All clinical data of the two family members were collected, and the patients signed the informed consent. The peripheral blood of the proband and family members was extracted, DNA was extracted for whole exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing was performed on the family members for the mutation site.TCOF1genetic mutations analysis was performed on the paitents. Then, the hearing threshold and speech recognition rate of family 2 proband were evaluated and compared under the sound field between bare ear and wearing bone bridge. Results:In the two pedigrees, the probands of both families presented with auricle deformity, zygomatic and mandibular hypoplasia, micrognathia, hypotropia of the eye fissure, and hypoplasia of the medial eyelashes. The proband of Family 1 also presents with specific features including right-sided narrow anterior nasal aperture and dental hypoplasia, which were consistent with the clinical diagnosis of Treacher Collins syndrome. Genetic testing was conducted on both families, and two heterozygous mutations were identified in the TCOF1 gene: c. 1350_1351dupGG（p. A451Gfs*43） and c. 4362_4366del（p. K1457Efs*12）, resulting in frameshift mutations in the amino acid sequence. Sanger sequencing validation of the TCOF1 gene in the parents of the proband in Family 1 did not detect any mutations. Proband 1 TCOF1 c. 1350_1351dupGG heterozygous variants have not been reported previously. The postoperative monosyllabic speech recognition rate of family 2 proband was 76%, the Categories of Auditory Performance（CAP） score was 6, and the Speech Intelligibility Rating（SIR） score was 4. Assessment using the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale（MAIS） showed notable improvement in the patient's auditory perception, comprehension, and usage of hearing aids. Evaluation using the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory and quality of life assessment revealed significant improvements in the child's self care abilities, daily living and learning, social interactions, and psychological well being, as perceived by the parents. Conclusion:This study has elucidated the biological cause of Treacher Collins syndrome, enriched the spectrum of TCOF1 gene mutations in the Chinese population, and demonstrated that bone bridge implantation can improve the auditory and speech recognition rates in TCS patients.
Child ; Humans ; Mandibulofacial Dysostosis/genetics* ; Quality of Life ; Speech ; Parents ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Phosphoproteins/genetics*

Abstract: Objective To analyze the accuracy and feasibility of GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GeneXpert) detection in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the characteristics of rifampicin-resistant rpoB gene mutations. Methods A total of 4 234 sputum samples from suspected tuberculosis patients diagnosed in Sanya tuberculosis designated hospitals from 2015 to 2021 were selected and subjected to sputum smear, solid culture, drug sensitivity test by solid proportion method and GeneXpert detection. Results The positive detection rates of sputum smear, solid culture and GeneXpert of 4 234 sputum samples were 29.24% (1 238/4 234), 32.17% (1 362/4 234) and 35.40% (1 499/4 234), respectively. The positive detection rate of GeneXpert was higher than that of sputum smear, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=36.775, P<0.01). It was slightly higher than solid culture, and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=9.908, P=0.02). Taking solid culture results as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert for detecting MTB were 91.04% (1 240/1 362) and 90.98% (2 613/2 872), respectively. According to the proportional drug susceptibility test results as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert in detecting rifampicin resistance were 96.96% (96/99) and 98.86% (1 128/1 141), respectively, with the consensus rate of 98.71%. The accuracy of rifampicin resistance in GeneXpert group without probe mutation was significantly lower than that in group with probe mutation. There was a statistical difference in probe mutation frequency between newly treated and retreated cases. The analysis of rpoB gene mutation frequency characteristics showed: Probe E (50.00%) > Probe A (22.12%) > Probe D (14.42%) > Probe B (6.73%) > combined probe (5.77%) > Probe C (0.96%). Conclusions GeneXpert detection can quickly and effectively diagnose rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, which is helpful for early clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this region, the rpoB gene mutation probes of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis mainly occurr in Probe E and Probe A, with the least mutations in Probe C.

To analyze the endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and histopathological features of esophageal epithelial malignant tumors misdiagnosed as esophageal submucosal tumors (SMT), data of patients diagnosed as having esophageal SMT preoperatively but confirmed as esophageal epithelial malignant tumor by pathology after operation in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2012 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical data including age, gender, size and location of the lesion, origin and echo of the lesion under EUS, endoscopic treatment and postoperative pathology were recorded. Among the 11 patients, there were 9 males and 2 females, aged (65.5±6.2) years. The length diameter of 9 lesions was ≤2 cm, and 8 lesions were located in the middle thoracic esophagus. Among the 11 patients, 10 underwent EUS before operation. The lesions originated from submucosa in 6 cases, muscularis propria in 2 cases and muscularis mucosa in 2 cases. The echo of the lesions was hypoechoic in 9 cases and isoechoic in only 1 case. Of the 11 patients, 3 underwent endoscopic mucosal resection, 6 underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, and 2 underwent submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. The histopathological types included 3 cases of moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 3 cases of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (including 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma colliding with squamous cell carcinoma), 2 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 1 case of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopic manifestations of submucosal eminence in esophageal epithelial malignant tumors are extremely rare. EUS is helpful for differential diagnosis, and diagnostic treatment can make a definite diagnosis.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are the most widely used method to identify genetic risk loci associated with orofacial clefts (OFC). However, despite the increasing size of cohort, GWASs are still insufficient to detect all the heritability, suggesting there are more associations under the current stringent statistical threshold. In this study, we obtained an integrated epigenomic dataset based on the chromatin conformation of a human oral epithelial cell line (HIOEC) using RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, H3K27ac ChIP-seq, and DLO Hi-C. Presumably, this epigenomic dataset could reveal the missing functional variants located in the oral epithelial cell active enhancers/promoters along with their risk target genes, despite relatively less-stringent statistical association with OFC. Taken a non-syndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) GWAS data of the Chinese Han population as an example, 3664 SNPs that cannot reach the strict significance threshold were subjected to this functional identification pipeline. In total, 254 potential risk SNPs residing in active cis-regulatory elements interacting with 1 718 promoters of oral epithelium-expressed genes were screened. Gapped k-mer machine learning based on enhancers interacting with epithelium-expressed genes along with in vivo and in vitro reporter assays were employed as functional validation. Among all the potential SNPs, we chose and confirmed that the risk alleles of rs560789 and rs174570 reduced the epithelial-specific enhancer activity by preventing the binding of transcription factors related to epithelial development. In summary, we established chromatin conformation datasets of human oral epithelial cells and provided a framework for testing and understanding how regulatory variants impart risk for clefts.
Chromatin ; Cleft Lip/genetics* ; Cleft Palate/genetics* ; Epithelium ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to explore the functions and potential mechanism of miR-451a in breast cancer (BC). Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of miR-451a in human normal mammary cells (MCF-10A) and BC cells. Colony formation assay, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay and transwell assays were conducted to validate the effect of miR-451a on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of BC cells, respectively. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were applied to investigate the upstream and downstream mechanisms of miR-451a in BC cells. Results: MiR-451a was expressed at a low level in BC cells. Overexpression of miR-451a repressed BC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, long non-coding RNA AC092127.1 acted as a sponge of miR-451a to enhance the expression level of AE binding protein 2 (AEBP2) that was demonstrated to be the target gene of miR-451a in BC cells. Finally, rescue experiments validated that miR-451a and AEBP2 involved in AC092127.1-mediated BC cell growth, migration and invasion. Conclusion In a word, AC092127.1/miR-451a/AEBP2 axis contributes to BC cell growth, migration and invasion. Our results may help to find novel potential targets for BC treatment.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic treatment for sporadic non-ampullary descending duodenal adenoma, and to analyze high-risk endoscopic features of malignant adenoma.Methods:Data of 54 patients diagnosed as having non-ampullary descending duodenal adenoma in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from November 2012 to September 2019 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups, the high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/adenocarcinoma (HGIN/AC) group and the low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) group according to pathological grade. Clinical features including gender, age, size and color of lesions, therapeutic methods, complications and postoperative follow-up results were analyzed.Results:A total of 54 patients were divided into the HGIN/AC group ( n=12) and the LGIN group ( n=42). There were significant differences in size or color of lesions between the two groups (both P<0.05). All 54 patients received endoscopic treatment. Biopsy, endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection were performed on 8, 32 and 14 cases, respectively. A small perforation was found and clipped during operation without any complications. There were 2 cases of delayed hemorrhage, and the bleeding stopped under endoscopic treatment. The mean follow-up time was 2-58 months with no recurrence. Conclusion:Endoscopic treatment is safe and effective for non-ampullary descending duodenal adenoma. Lesions of size larger than 10 mm and those with a red surface have higher malignant tendency.

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to explore the functions and potential mechanism of miR-451a in breast cancer (BC). Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of miR-451a in human normal mammary cells (MCF-10A) and BC cells. Colony formation assay, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay and transwell assays were conducted to validate the effect of miR-451a on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of BC cells, respectively. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were applied to investigate the upstream and downstream mechanisms of miR-451a in BC cells. Results: MiR-451a was expressed at a low level in BC cells. Overexpression of miR-451a repressed BC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, long non-coding RNA AC092127.1 acted as a sponge of miR-451a to enhance the expression level of AE binding protein 2 (AEBP2) that was demonstrated to be the target gene of miR-451a in BC cells. Finally, rescue experiments validated that miR-451a and AEBP2 involved in AC092127.1-mediated BC cell growth, migration and invasion. Conclusion In a word, AC092127.1/miR-451a/AEBP2 axis contributes to BC cell growth, migration and invasion. Our results may help to find novel potential targets for BC treatment.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of RNA binding protein Lin28 on the 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) sensitivity of HepG2 cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were transfected with plasmid pcDNA3.1-Lin28 or si-Lin28 (small interfering RNA of Lin28). qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of Lin28 in HepG2 cells after transfection. Changes of cell proliferation in transfected cells after 5-Fu treatment was detected by CCK8 assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptotic rate after 5-Fu treatment and the expression of apoptosis-related protein was assayed by Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of drug-resistant miRNAs (let-7a and let-7b), as well as cancer stem cell markers (Oct4, Nanog and Sox2) after transfection were detected by qPCR. Results: As compared to the HepG2/Vector cells, the mRNA and protein expressions of Lin28 were significantly up-regulated in HepG2/Lin28 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Over-expression of Lin28 significantly suppressed the sensitivity of HepG2 cells to 5-Fu (IC50elevated obviously, P<0.05) and significantly increased cell proliferation while decreased apoptotic rate and expression of apoptotic-related protein caspase-3 (all P<0.01). As compared to si-control group, expression of Lin28 in HepG2/si-Lin28 cells was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Lin28 knockdown significantly reduced cell proliferation and IC50 of 5-Fu (all P<0.01) but increased apoptotic rate and expression of apoptosis-related protein (P<0.01). Compared with HepG2/Vector group, expressions of let-7a and let-7b, as well as cancer stem cell markers (Oct4, Nanog and Sox2) were significantly increased in HepG2/Lin28 cells (all P<0.01); while these molecules were significantly decreased in HepG2/si-Lin28 cells as comparing to si-control group (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Lin28 can modulate the chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells by regulating the expression of miRNAs and the formation of cancer stem cells. Targeting Lin28 might be a promising approach to improve the chemotherapy efficacy in HCC.

Objective:To analyze the mutation sites and characteristics of phospholipase CE1( PLCE1) gene in children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS) in Zhuang, Guangxi, China, so as to explore the expression status of PLCE1 protein in peripheral blood of PNS patients. Methods:(1)Blood samples of 154 Zhuang children with PNS and 98 healthy children of Zhuang nationality from July 2015 to September 2017 in Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities were collected to sequence PLCE1 gene with FastTarget target gene capture method in the combination with next generation sequencing.Based on the comparison between mutation results and information from the database, the pathogenicity, phenotype and distribution characteristics of these mutation sites were discovered and appraised.(2)The concentration of PLCE1 protein in serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay, then the data of PNS group and healthy control group were compared and analyzed statistically with SPSS 25.0. Results:(1)A total of 18 low-frequency mutations of PLCE1 were observed, 5 of them(c.670C>T, c.578T>C, c.923G>T, c.4916C>T, and c. 5927_5929del) were found only in the PNS group, and 3 of them occurred in both PNS group and healthy control group: c.176C>T, c.389T>C, and c. 4304C>T.Five newly discovered mutations (c.923G>T, c.958T>A, c.1151C>T, c.2341A>G, and c. 3592G>C)were discovered and only c. 923 G>T is pathogenic mutation of PLCE1.(2)The concentration of PLCE1 protein in healthy control group was 414.65 (231.20, 729.81) ng/L and the level of PLCE1 in PNS group was 237.84 (116.14, 535.85) ng/L, ( Z=-3.212, P<0.001), and the value of PNS group was lower than that in the healthy control group. Conclusions:(1)As a new pathogenic mutation of PLCE1, c.923G>T was found.(2)The phenotype of PLCE1 gene mutation in Zhuang children with PNS was diverse, and they may differ by race and region.(3) PLCE1 protein of serum may act as a protective protein to guarantee various life activities of cells by participating in multiple signal transduction pathways.

Objective: To understand the status quo and differences of the rights and interests of primary medical staff in a community, and to provide targeted suggestions for improving the rights of such staff. Methods: From October to November 2018, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all the medical staff of 8 community health service centers in a district of Shanghai, and 562 valid samples were obtained. Results: The primary medical staff had the highest demands for " pay rise" (4.783±0.598), " paid vacation" (4.569±0.873)and " additional reserve fund" (4.553±0.963); the lowest demands were placed on " education-based promotion" (3.797±1.382), " refresher training" (3.801±1.314), and " opinion feedback mechanism" (4.018±1.223). At the same time, the rights and interests of these staff in different occupational categories were significantly different(P<0.05)in " daily reimbursement" , " housing subsidy" , " refresher training" and " opinion feedback mechanism" . Conclusions The salary demands of the primary medical staff are the most obvious, and there are differences in the demands of medical staff in different occupational categories. It is suggested to establish a more reasonable salary system and pay attention to the differentiated appeals of different medical personnel.