Polymorphic metabolizing genes and susceptibility to atherosclerosis among cigarette smokers

Atherosclerosis (AR) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US and cigarette smoking is a major contributing factor to the disease. Like cigarette smoking in lung cancer, genetic susceptibility may be an important factor in determining who is more likely to develop AR. However, the current emphasis has been on susceptibility based on altered cardiovascular homeostasis. In this investigation, we studied 120 AR patients and 90 matched controls to elucidate the association between polymorphisms in some metabolizing genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP2E1, mEH, PON1, and MPO) and susceptibility to AR. We found that the GSTT1 null allele and the fast allele of mEH(*) (exon 4) are associated with risk for AR. Furthermore, the combined genotypes GSTM1 null/ CYP2E1(*)5B, GSTM1 null/mEH YY, and GSTT1 null/mEH YY are significantly associated with susceptibility to AR (OR = 15.42, 95% CI = 1.33-77.93, P = 0.021; OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.63-8.04, P = 0.0008; OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 0.99-17.38, P = 0.05; respectively). We have also conducted cytogenetic analysis to elucidate if induction of chromosome aberrations (CAs) is a biomarker of AR susceptibility. We found that among cigarette smokers (AR patients and smoker controls), individuals having the GSTM1 null allele had a significantly higher frequency of CAs compared to those with the normal allele (P < 0.05). This association was not found among nonsmokers. In addition, individuals who had inherited the CYP2E1(*)5B allele exhibited a significantly higher CA frequency (8.0 +/- 0.82) compared to those with the CYP2E1 wild-type genotype (4.31 +/- 0.35). Since the analysis of genetic susceptibility factors is still in its infancy, our study may stimulate additional investigations to understand the roles of genetic susceptibility and cigarette smoking in AR.     

Induction of chromosome aberrations and mitotic arrest by cytomegalovirus in human cells

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is potentially an effective but often overlooked genotoxic agent in humans. We report here evidence that indicates that infection by CMV can induce chromosome alterations and mitotic inhibition. The frequency of chromosome aberrations induced was dependent on the input multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) for human lung fibroblasts (LU), but not for human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) when both cell types were infected at the GO phase of the cell cycle. The aberrations induced by CMV were mostly chromatid breaks and chromosome pulverizations that resembled prematurely condensed S-phase chromatin. Pulverized chromosomes were not observed in LU cells infected with virus stocks that had been rendered nonlytic by UV-irradiation at 24,000 ergs/mm2 or from infection of human lymphocytes. In LU cells infected with UV-irradiated CMV, the frequency of aberrations induced was inversely dependent on the extent of the exposure of the CMV stock to the UV-light. In permissive CMV infection of proliferating LU cells at 24 hr after subculture, a high percentage (greater than 40%) of the metaphase cells were arrested at their first metaphase and displayed severely condensed chromosomes when harvested 48 hr later. A significant increase (p less than 0.05) in the chromosome aberration frequency was also observed. Our study shows that CMV infection is genotoxic to host cells. The types and extent of damage are dependent on the viral genome expression and on the cell cycle stage of the cells at the time of infection. The possible mechanisms for induction of chromosome damage by CMV are discussed.     

Chromosomal mapping of the uracil permease gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The gene FUR4, coding for the uracil permease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was mapped on chromosome II, at a distance of 7.8 cM from the centromere on the right arm of the chromosome. In a first step, we used the chromosome loss mapping method developed by Falco and Botstein (1983) to determine on which chromosome the gene mapped. After the observation that FUR4 was closely linked to GAL10, one of the three genes forming the gal cluster (Bassel and Mortimer 1971), we could determine precisely the position of the gene on chromosome II.     

Induction of chromosmal aberrations in the syrian hamster by insecticides tested in vivo

The insecticides demeton, dimetoat, dichlorovos, endosulfan, trichlorofon, carbaryl, lindane, methoxychlor, propoxur and malathion were examined for their ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) treated in vivo. Mutagenicity of commercial preparations was examined at four doses: LD₅₀; 1/2, 1/5 and 1/10 LD₅₀. The positive control was an IP injection of cyclophosphamide to hamsters at a dose of 40 mg/kg body wt. Demeton, dichlorovos and endosulfan gave positive results. Malathion, dimethoate and the mixture of methoxychlor and propoxur were weakly clastogenic; at some doses these compounds induced statistically significant increases in the number of aberrations. Trichlorfon and the mixture of carbaryl and lindane were negative in this test.This work was supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences within the projet 09.7.3.4.3     

中孕期胎儿染色体异常高危孕妇羊水细胞胎儿染色体核型及介入性产前诊断指征的大样本分析

目的探讨中孕期胎儿染色体异常(FCA)高危孕妇羊水细胞胎儿染色体核型(FK)及其介入性产前诊断(IPD)指征。方法选择2014—2018年,在四川大学华西第二医院产前诊断中心进行羊膜腔穿刺术羊水细胞FK检测的63581例FCA高危孕妇(孕龄为19~27+6孕周)为研究对象。回顾性分析孕妇不同IPD指征及其胎儿染色体核型异常(FKA)检测结果。本研究遵循的程序符合四川大学华西第二医院伦理委员会所制定的伦理学标准,并通过该伦理委员会批准[审批文号:医学科研2019伦审批第(077)号]。结果①本组63581例中孕期孕妇的FKA检出率为3.13%(1989/63581)。这63581例孕妇的IPD指征分别为高龄(预产期年龄≥35岁)(25648例)、血清学筛查高风险(29009例)、无创产前筛查(NIPT)高风险(333例)、夫妇一方为染色体异常携带者(603例)、超声筛查发现胎儿结构异常及超声软指标异常(2647例)、异常儿生育史(1546例)、于外院进行羊水细胞FK分析结果异常者(7例)、孕妇智力低下及合并智力低下家族史(149例)、孕妇早孕期有害物质接触史(1400例)、其他(2239例),FKA检出率分别为3.26%(836/25648)、2.04%(593/29009)、65.17%(217/333)、34.33%(207/603)、3.51%(93/2647)、1.68%(26/1546)、85.71%(6/7)、4.03%(6/149)、0.14%(2/1400)、0.13%(3/2239)。②351例孕妇的IPD指征为超声筛查发现胎儿结构异常中,IPD指征为胎儿淋巴水囊瘤、皮肤水肿的FKA检出率最高,为26.09%(6/23)。2296例孕妇的IPD指征为胎儿超声软指标异常中,IPD指征为胎儿颈项透明层(NT)值≥2.5 mm的FKA检出率最高,为7.74%(66/853)。结论孕妇高龄、血清学筛查高风险、NIPT高风险、夫妇一方为染色体异常携带者、超声筛查发现胎儿结构异常及超声软指标异常等,均为中孕期孕妇FCA的IPD指征,孕妇IPD指征类型不同,FCA风险不同。羊膜腔穿刺术羊水细胞FK检测,可预测有IPD指征孕妇的妊娠结局,为降低FKA出生率提供参考。     

Role of chromosomal imbalances in the pathogenesis of DSD: A retrospective analysis of 115 prenatal samples

Differences of sex development (DSDs) are a group of congenital conditions characterized by a discrepancy between chromosomal, gonadal, and genital sex development of an individual, with significant impact on medical, psychological and reproductive life. The genetic heterogeneity of DSDs complicates the diagnosis and almost half of the patients remains undiagnosed. In this context, chromosomal imbalances in syndromic DSD patients may help to identify new genes implicated in DSDs. In this study, we aimed at describing the burden of chromosomal imbalances including submicroscopic ones (copy number variants or CNVs) in a cohort of prenatal syndromic DSD patients, and review their role in DSDs. Our patients carried at least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic chromosomal imbalance/CNV or low-level mosaicism for aneuploidy. Almost half of the cases resulted from an unbalanced chromosomal rearrangement. Chromosome 9p/q, 4p/q, 3q and 11q anomalies were more frequently observed. Review of the literature confirmed the causative role of CNVs in DSDs, either in disruption of known DSD-causing genes (SOX9, NR0B1, NR5A1, AR, ATRX, …) or as a tool to suspect new genes in DSDs (HOXD cluster, ADCY2, EMX2, CAMK1D, …). Recurrent CNVs of regulatory elements without coding sequence content (i.e. duplications/deletions upstream of SOX3 or SOX9) confirm detection of CNVs as a mean to explore our non-coding genome. Thus, CNV detection remains a powerful tool to explore undiagnosed DSDs, either through routine techniques or through emerging technologies such as long-read whole genome sequencing or optical genome mapping.     

1702例早孕绒毛细胞培养及细胞遗传学分析

目的探讨早孕期绒毛活检及细胞遗传学分析在产前诊断中的应用。方法回顾性分析2002年4月至2019年9月在北京协和医院产前诊断中心进行早孕期绒毛活检及细胞遗传学检测的1702例患者的临床资料,统计培养成功率及染色体异常率,并对其诊断指征进行分析。结果1702例绒毛组织标本中,培养成功1602例,成功率为94.12%。穿刺的临床指征中以高龄妊娠(43.60%)和单基因病史(29.14%)为多见。检出染色体核型异常共161例,异常率10.05%,其中纯合型异常核型有153例,嵌合型异常核型有8例,包括21-三体53例、18-三体39例、13-三体10例、性染色体异常31例、其他常染色体数目异常9例、染色体结构异常17例、多倍体2例。染色体异常发生率最高的是夫妻染色体异常组,染色体异常率39.13%(9/23);其次是早孕期超声异常组,染色体异常率35.14%(110/313);单基因病产前诊断的464例样本中,检出6例染色体异常。1702例绒毛样本中取材后胎儿丢失5例,流产率0.29%。结论早孕期绒毛活检及核型分析能够有效提前产前诊断时间,尤其适用于单基因病孕史及早孕期超声异常的产前诊断。绒毛组织培养可以获得较高的培养成功率,失败原因多见于样本量少及细胞活性欠佳。绒毛染色体嵌合时要警惕胎儿与胎盘染色体不一致的情况。     

电离辐射对放射工作者职业健康的影响

目的 分析放射工作者外周血象、淋巴细胞微核及染色体畸变情况,为放射工作者职业防护和健康监测提供依据。方法 对2015年、2017年和2019年连续3次接受健康检查的127名放射工作者进行淋巴细胞微核、染色体及血象分析,将其设为放射组。另外选取133名无射线接触史的医务人员设为对照组;结果 放射组中淋巴细胞微核率和染色体畸变率高于对照组,白细胞和血小板计数低于对照组,均具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。127名放射工作者外周血白细胞总数随着接触电离辐射时间的增长逐渐降低,染色体畸变率逐渐增加,均具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。损害工龄大于20年的放射工作者染色体畸变率高于低工龄组,不同损害工龄之间比较无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。核医学与介入治疗工种染色体畸变率高于其他工种,具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 长时间接触低剂量电离辐射可使放射工作者白细胞总数降低和淋巴细胞染色体畸变率增加,应加强放射工作者防护措施以备降低电离辐射损伤程度,特别要加强核医学和介入治疗放射工作人员的职业防护。     

Analysis of types of chromosomal aberrations following the combined action of chemical mutagens

Types of chromosomal aberrations in cultures of human lymphocytes exposed to the combined action of various concentrations of thiophosphamide and dipin, with different proportions of each, were studied. The mutagens acted on the G₀ stage. The range of concentrations used was from 3.17·10^–5 to 22.19·10^–5M. Equimolar concentrations of thiophosphamide inhibited more chromatid exchanges and fewer sister-strand (isolocus) unions than dipin, and it also induced a greater proportion of single breaks and a greater proportion of breaks in chromatid exchanges relative to the total number of chromosome breaks. Both the absolute and the relative frequencies of chromosomal aberrations depended on the concentration of the mutagens. A change in the ratio between thiophosphamide and dipin, if the total number of molecules of the two mutagens at the different concentration levels remained constant, gave rise to an effect whose level was between the effects of action of equimolar concentrations of the pure mutagens. This effect depended on the proportion of each mutagen in the combined treatment. It is concluded that the action of thiophosphamide and dipin is additive.Laboratory of Mutagenesis, Institute of Medical Genetics, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. V. Smol'yannikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 1, pp. 79–81, January, 1978.     

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of 16p11.2 microdeletions with diverse prenatal phenotypes: Four cases report and literature review

ObjectiveChromosome 16p11.2 deletions have been recognized as a genetic disorder with well-described postnatal phenotypes. However, the prenatal manifestations are atypical for lacking of enough evidence.Case reportFour pregnant women underwent amniocentesis for cytogenetic analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) because of various indications for prenatal diagnosis: prenatal ultrasound abnormalities (cases 1, 2 and 4) and the childbearing history of cerebral palsy child (case 3). No overlapping phenotypes were observed in cases 1, 2 and 4, which might indicate phenotypic diversities in prenatal phenotypes for 16p11.2 microdeletion. All four fetuses showed normal karyotypic results while CMA identified 0.303–0.916 Mb microdeletions of 16p11.2, encompassing BP2–BP3 and BP4–BP5 regions separately. According to the parental CMA verification, case 1 carried a maternal inherited duplication in the region of Xp22.33 and a de novo deletion in the region of Xp21.1. All parents opted for the termination of pregnancies based upon genetic counselling.ConclusionOur findings enriched the intrauterine phenotypic features of 16p11.2 microdeletions, which would be beneficial for genetic counselling in clinic. In addition, preimplantation genetic testing was recognized as a first-tier approach for such carriers if they intended to conceive again.