Objective:To investigate the efficiency of biochemical screening and hotspot gene screening in the detection of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases.Methods:This was a prospective multi-center study.The study was carried out on 21 442 neonatal samples collected from 12 hospitals in 10 provinces from November 2020 to November 2021.The results of biochemical screening and hotspot gene screening were analyzed jointly.Biochemical screening methods included glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency enzyme activity assay and neonatal tandem mass spectrometry.Genetic screening analysis involved 135 genes associated with 75 neonatal diseases.Results:Of all the 21 442 neonates enrolled in the study, 21 205 were subject to biochemical screening.A total of 813 cases were positive in the initial screening, and 0.45% of them (95 cases) were diagnosed after recall.All the 21 442 neonates underwent gene screening.About 168 positive cases were detected in the initial screening, and 0.73% (156 cases) of them were confirmed finally.Biochemical and genetic screening improved the detection sensitivity of such diseases as primary carnitine deficiency, neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency, and 2-methylbutyrylglycinemia.Moreover, biochemical and genetic screening enabled the detection of more diseases, including the common single-gene genetic diseases such as thalassemia and Wilson disease.Conclusions:In neonatal screening, the combination of biochemical screening and gene screening expands the number of diseases detected and improve screening efficiency.

Objective:To explore the genetic causes of abnormal isovaleryl carnitine (C5) metabolism in newborns.Methods:Retrospective study.The screening and clinical follow-up data of 34 neonates with elevated C5 levels shown by the tandem mass spectrometry test in Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2018 to December 2021 were collected.Afterwards, their ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant venous blood was collected to extract genomic DNA.A total of 79 genes related to genetic metabolic diseases, such as ACADSB, IVD and ACADM, were captured by liquid-phase capture technology.High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to acquire gene variation information and the genes were categorized by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics classification standard.According to the results of genetic analysis, the newborns with C5 elevation were divided into 3 groups: non-mutation group(11 cases), ACADSB mutation group(16 cases) and IVD mutation group(7 cases). Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed to analyze the difference between these groups. Results:Among 34 neonates, 6 ACADSB variants were detected in 16 cases, and 2 of them [c.461G>A (p.G154E), c.746delC(p.P249Lfs*15)] were novel variants.Eleven IVD variants were detected in 7 cases, and 7 of them [c.118A>G(p.N40D), c.296-10C>G, c.302A>G(p.Y101C), c.537G>A(p.M179I), c.667C>T(p.R223W), c.983A>G(p.K328R), c.1147+ 5G>A] were never reported before.There was no significant difference in the C5 concentration in initial screening among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Mutations in ACADSB and IVD genes are the main causes of augmented C5 levels in neonatal screening.For newly discovered genetic variants, functional prediction by multiple bioinformatics analysis software is recommended.And it is also important to carry out clinical follow-up and evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genotypes and biochemical phenotypes of neonates with abnormal metabolism of butyrylcarnitine (C4). METHODS: One hundred and twenty neonates with increased C4 levels detected by tandem mass spectrometry in the neonatal screening at Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2018 to June 2023 were included. The initial screening data and recalled data of C4 and C4/C3 were collected and converted into multiples of C4 reference range. Next generation sequencing was performed and the exons with adjacent 50 bp regions of ACAD8 and ACADS genes were captured by liquid phase capture technique. Variant information was obtained by bioinformatic analysis and the pathogenicity were classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to analyze the differences in C4 levels among neonates with different variation types. RESULTS: In total, 32 variants in ACAD8 gene were detected, of which 7 variants were reported for the first time; while 41 variants of ACADS gene were detected, of which 17 variants have not been previously reported. There were 39 cases with ACAD8 biallelic variations and 3 cases with ACAD8 monoallelic variations; 34 cases with ACADS biallelic variations and 36 cases with ACADS monoallelic variations. Furthermore, 5 cases were detected with both ACAD8 and ACADS gene variations. Inter group comparison showed that the multiples of C4 reference range in initial screening and re-examination of the ACAD8 biallelic variations and ACADS biallelic variations groups were significantly higher than those of the ACADS monoallelic variations group (all P<0.01), while the multiples in the ACAD8 biallelic variations group were significantly higher than those in the ACADS biallelic variations group (all P<0.01). The multiples of C4 reference range in the initial screening greater than 1.5 times were observed in all neonates carrying ACAD8 or ACADS biallelic variations, while only 25% (9/36) in neonates carrying ACADS monoallelic variations. CONCLUSIONS ACAD8 and/or ACADS gene variants are the main genetic causes for elevated C4 in newborns in Zhejiang region with high genotypic heterogeneity. The C4 levels of neonates with biallelic variations are significantly higher than those of neonates with monoallelic variations. The cut-off value for C4 level could be modestly elevated, which could reduce the false positive rate in tandem mass spectrometry neonatal screening.
Child ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Carnitine/metabolism* ; Mutation

Objective:To introduce the method and clinical effect of inferior pedicle flap used in reduction mammoplasty.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2019, 19 patients with moderate to severe macromastia who underwent reduction mammoplasty with inferior pedicle flap were enrolled in this study. The method of inferior pedicle flap was based on Robbins vertical inferior pedicle flap. New position of nipple areola and inferior pedicle flap were designed in terms of the breast anatomy.Results:A total of 19 patients (38 breasts) were included in this study. The average tissue reduction of one side breast was 570 g (385 g to 1 525 g). After operation, all patients were satisfied with natural appearance and nipple erection effect. There were no operation-related complications including nipple-areola necrosis. After 6 months to 8 years following-up, No inverted T hypertrophic scar occurred. Hyperpigmentation occurred on two patients with dark-skinned. The position of bilateral nipples and areola was higher in 1 patient after operation. The other 18 patients were satisfied with the position and shape of nipples and areola.Conclusions:It is a good choice for patients with moderate to severe macromastia to receive reduction mammoplasty with inferior pedicle flap. Through the method, large amount of breast tissue reduction and stable blood supply of nipple and areola complex could be obtained.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with mental retardation. METHODS: The child was subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS). Candidate variant was analyzed with bioinformatic software. RESULTS: NGS revealed that the child has carried a de novo heterozygous c.4035G>C (p.Gln1345His) variant of the ARID1B gene. The variant was unreported previously and may cause instability of the protein structure. CONCLUSION The de novo missense variant of ARID1B gene may underlie the mental retardation in the child. Above result has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.

Objective:To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) COX10-AS1 in renal cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines and its effect on proliferation and migration of renal cancer cells.Methods:Fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COX10-AS1 in surgical specimens that have been diagnosed as renal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues by pathology, renal cancer cell lines (786-O, CaKi-1, A498, ACHN) and normal renal tubular epithelium cell line (HK-2). The ACHN cells with the lowest expression were divided into a control group (transfected with a negative control plasmid carrying nonsense sequences) and an experimental group (transfected with a plasmid carrying COX10-AS1 sequences). The expression level of COX10-AS1 was detected by qRT-PCR in two groups of cells. The proliferation and migration ability of ACHN cells were detected by MTS assay and cell scratch assay. The expression of MFN2 mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR. The expressions of MFN2 and Ras-NF-κB signaling pathway proteins were detected by Western blotting. The measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( Mean± SD), the comparison between the two groups used the t-test, and the comparison among multiple groups adopts the one-way analysis of variance. Results:The expression of COX10-AS1 in renal cell carcinoma was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues ( P<0.01), The expression of COX10-AS1 in renal cell carcinoma cells was significantly lower than that in renal tubular epithelial cells ( P<0.05), the expression of COX10-AS1 was the lowest in ACHN cells( P<0.01), the above differences were statistically significant compared with the control group, the expression of COX10-AS1 in ACHN cells of experimental group was significantly increased ( P<0.01), the above differences were statistically significant compared with the control cells, the proliferation of ACHN cells in the experimental group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the cell migration ability was significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Compared with the control cells, the expression of MFN2 mRNA in ACHN cells of experimental group was significantly increased ( P<0.01). The expression levels of MFN2 were significantly up-regulated ( P<0.01), and Ras-NF-κB signaling pathway proteins were significantly down-regulated ( P<0.05), the above differences were statistically significant. Conclusions:The expression of COX10-AS1 is decreased in renal cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines. COX10-AS1 may inhibit the proliferation and migration of ACHN cells by promoting the expression of MFN2 gene.

Objective:To investigate the application feasibility of Region 4 Stork (R4S) system, an international collaborative newborn screening data platform, combined with cut-off value analysis in the neonatal screening for very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD) by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).Methods:The retrospective study was performed in 2, 040 072 neonates screened by MS/MS in Neonatal Screening Center of Zhejiang Province, China from October 2013 to July 2018. Nine hundred and ten cases were determined and identified as suspected positive VLCADD neonates by traditional cut-off method of tandem mass spectrometry. The original data of these 910 screened neonates were further analyzed by R4S system. Based on clinical diagnosis and ACADL gene test results, the screening efficiency between two methods was statistically compared.Results:The data of 910 suspected VLCADD-positive cases interpreted by cut-off method were further analyzed by R4S system, and the positive interpretation was reduced to 238 cases (including 9 confirmed positive cases). A total of 16 different mutations were found in ACADL gene sequencing among the confirmed children. The screening false positive rate (FPR) declined from 0.44‰ (901/2 040 072) to 0.11‰ (229/2 040 072), the rate of positive predictive value (PPV) increased from 0.99% (9/910) to 3.78% (9/238), and the specificity increased from 99.96% (2 039 162/2 040 063) to 99.99% (2 039 834/2 040 063). There was a statistically significant difference between cut-off method alone and cut-off method combined R4S system analysis (χ2=393.5, P<0.05). Conclusions:The R4S system combined with cut-off method applied in VLCADD neonatal screening by MS/MS can effectively improve screening performance, reduce false positive rate, and has certain value in clinical application.

Objective: To explore the epidemiological distribution characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, incidence of G6PD deficiency in neonates and the cut-off values. Methods: About 1.44 million newborns in 10 districts of Zhejiang province from March 2015 to September 2017 were included in this study. Fluorescence analysis was used to determine the G6PD activity in dried blood spots. Those with initial screening positive results were recalled and confirmed by direct ratio of G6PD to 6PGD (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) to confirm the diagnosis. The results were analyzed by using nonparametric and chi-square tests. Results: Significant differences of G6PD levels were found among the groups of different genders, gestational age, birth weight, blood sampling age, blood sampling season and districts (P＜0.01). The male incidence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher than female incidence. In different regions of Zhejiang province, the highest prevalence was in Lishui (0.38%) and the lowest was in Zhoushan (0.11%), The trend of high prevalence in the south and low prevalence in the north was basically showed. When the cut-off value of G6PD activity ranged from 2.60 to 2.80 U/g Hb, the sensitivity of G6PD deficiency screening for male and female newborns was 100% and the Youden index was the highest (about 0.99). Conclusion The level of G6PD activity may be relevant to the factors of population group and period. The incidence of G6PD deficiency may be affected by different genders and different regions. The cut-off values for screening may initially set at 2.60 U/g Hb and 2.80 U/g Hb for male and female respectively.

Objective: To explore procedures and clinical effect of the technique, combined reposition of rectus abdominis with abdminioplasty, for treating postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominis and lax abdominal wall. Methods: Postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominis and lax abdominal wall who underwent reposition of rectus abdominis and abdminioplasty were enrolled in this study. This combined technique was based on abdominoplasty, including reposition of rectus abdominis, umbilical transposition and tightening abdominal wall. Results: A total of 12 patients were included in this study. Umbilical transposition was performed in 9 patients. Skin was resected by 8 to 14 centimetre in width.There were no infection, skin necrosis, and delayed wound healing.Natural abdominal contour has been found in all patients and the abdominal perimeter as well as the waistline have shrunk.Further more, this combined technique has been shown to improve quality of life by reducing pain, restoring function, and increasing satisfaction with appearance.After 3 months to 2 years following up, all patients were satisfied with operative outcomes. Conclusions This combined technique has been shown to be a good choice for postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominis and lax abdominal wall.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of gender assignment in 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) with severe undermasculinisation mainly based on molecular diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective study of 45 patients of 46, XY DSD with severe undermasculinisation were admitted between November 2015 and October 2018 at Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The initial social gender were all female, of whom the external genital manifestations were Prader 0 to 2; the degree of masculinity was scored using external masculinisation score (EMS); the position and development of the gonads were examined by ultrasound, cystoscopy and laparoscopy, also including assessing the development of the Wolffian tube and the Müllerian tube. The level and ratio of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone before and after hCG stimulation were evaluated for the function of Leydig cell and 5α-reductase-2. Gender role scales and sandbox games were used to assess gender role behavior. Genital sensitivity to androgen stimulation was assessed; A panel including 163 genes related to gender development were determined by second-generation sequencing in all 45 patients. Finally, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) makes a gender assignment after a comprehensive analysis mainly based on the molecular etiological diagnosis. Results: Thirty-nine out of 45 patients (87%) had an identifiable genetic etiology, and the remaining 6 (13%) were negative for genetic testing. Forty-five patients had EMS less than or equal to 3 points. Sexual psychological assessment was performed in 39 patients, with male dominance in 24 (62%) and female dominance in 15 (38%). The gender assignment was 23 cases (51%) for male and 19 cases (42%) for female, and 3 cases (7%) were not completely determined. Conclusions Molecular diagnosis provides a strong basis for appropriate gender assignment of 46, XY DSD children with severe undermasculinisation. Based on molecular diagnosis, each DSD should be analyzed by professional MDT to analyze the clinical symptoms/signs, gonadal development, gonad tumor risk, external genital morphology, sexual psychological assessment, potential fertility opportunities, parental views, Social and cultural factors, etc. make appropriate gender assignment.