A higher rare CNV burden in the genetic background potentially contributes to intellectual disability phenotypes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), the most common survivable human genetic deletion disorder, is caused by a hemizygous deletion of 30–40 contiguous genes on chromosome 22, many of which have not been well characterized. Clinical features seen in patients with this deletion, including intellectual disability, are not completely penetrant and vary in severity between patients, suggesting the involvement of variants elsewhere in the genome in the manifestation of the phenotype. Given that it is a relatively rare disorder (1/2000-6000 in humans), limited research has shed light into the contribution of these second-site variants to the developmental pathogenesis that underlies 22q11DS. As CNVs throughout the genome might constitute such a genetic risk factor for variability in the 22q11DS phenotypes such as intellectual disability, we sought to determine if the overall burden of rare CNVs in the genetic background influenced the phenotypic variability. We analyzed CNV and clinical data from 66 individuals with 22q11DS, and found that 77% (51/66) of individuals with the 22q11DS also carry additional rare CNVs (<0.1% frequency). We observed several trends between CNV burden and phenotype, including that the burden of large rare CNVs (>200 Kb in size) was significantly higher in 22q11DS individuals with intellectual disability than with normal IQ. Our analysis shows that rare CNVs may contribute to intellectual disability 22q11DS, and further analysis on larger 22q11DS cohorts should be performed to confirm this correlation.     

Novel KIR genotypes and gene copy number variations in northeastern Thais

KIR (Killer Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor) variants influence immune responses and are genetic factors in disease susceptibility. Using sequence‐specific priming PCR, we have previously described the diversity of KIR genes in term of presence/absence in northeastern Thais (NETs). To provide additional resolution beyond conventional methods, quantitative PCR was applied to determine KIR copy number profiles. Novel expanded and contracted KIR copy number profiles were identified at cumulatively high frequencies. These all comprise haplotypes with duplication (6·9%) or deletion (2·7%) of KIR3DL1/S1 along with adjacent genes. Five expanded KIR profiles comprised haplotypes with duplications of KIR2DP1, 2DL1, 3DP1, 2DL4, 3DL1/S1 and 2DS1/4, whereas two contracted profiles contained only a single copy of KIR3DP1, 3DL1/S1 and 2DL4. Using a KIR haplotype prediction program (KIR Haplotype Identifier), 14% of NET haplotypes carried atypical haplotypes based on the gene copy number data.     

Sinusoidal hemangioma and intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia: Interrelated processes that share a histogenetic piecemeal angiogenic mechanism

Sinusoidal hemangioma, characterized by interconnecting thin-walled vascular spaces, may present papillae/pseudo-papillae and zones that resemble intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH). Our objectives are to explore the existence of zones in IPEH with sinusoidal hemangioma characteristics, the mechanism of papillary and septa formation in sinusoidal hemangioma and the comparison of this mechanism with that in IPEH. For these purposes, specimens of 4 cases of each entity were selected and studied by serial histologic sections and by immunochemistry and immunofluorescence procedures. The results showed a) zones with characteristics of sinusoidal hemangioma in IPEH cases, b) presence in both entities of papillae with a cover formed by a monolayer of CD34+ and CD31+ endothelial cells (ECs) and a core formed by either type I collagen and αSMA+ cells (presenting a pericyte/smooth muscle cell aspect) or thrombotic components, and c) a similar piecemeal angiogenic mechanism in papillary formation, including sprouting of intimal ECs toward the vessel wall itself or intravascular thrombi, formation of vascular loops that encircle and separate vessel wall or thrombus components, and parietal or thrombotic papillae development. The major differences between both entities were the number, arrangement and substrate of papillae: myriad, densely grouped, parietal and thrombotic papillae in IPEH, and a linear arrangement of predominant parietal papillae in sinusoidal hemangioma, originating septa (segmentation). In conclusion, sinusoidal hemangioma and IPEH are interrelated processes, which share morphologic findings and a piecemeal angiogenic mechanism, combining sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis, and leading to papillary formation and vessel segmentation.     

Effects of PEMF exposure at different pulses on osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells

Objective

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) were considered to be a factor which may affect osteogenesis of osteoblasts, but the effects were diverse with different PEMF parameters. The aim of the current study is to explore the effects of exposure to PEMFs at different pulse number on osteogenesis of osteoblasts.

Design

The mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to 0, 400 or 2800 pulses 400 kV/m PEMF and the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of cells were observed after PEMF exposure by the methods of MTT, biochemical measurement, real-time PCR and Alizarin Red assay.

Results

Compared with 0 pulses groups, the growth curve, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA level of osteocalcin (OCN) and mineralized nodule formation of MC3T3-E1 cells did not change after 400 pulses PEMF exposure, but decreased after 2800 pulses PEMF exposure. It suggested that under our experimental conditions, only 2800 pulses 400 kV/m PEMF exposure can suppress the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, but 400 pulses 400 kV/m PEMF exposure cannot.

Conclusions

Pulse number is another involved parameter which may influence the effects of PEMF on osteogenesis of osteoblasts.     

牙周干预对环孢菌素A相关牙龈增生的预防效果观察

目的评价肾移植术前牙周基础治疗对环孢菌素A相关的牙龈增生的预防效果。方法选取即将行肾移植术且拟用环孢菌素A作为免疫抑制剂的患者20名,随机分为牙周干预组（A组）和对照组（B组）,在平衡了年龄、性别等干扰因素的前提下,记录被研究者移植术前及术后3个月、6个月、12个月时的牙周指标。结果两组的牙周指标在肾移植术前比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;在观察期间,我们发现A组的PLI、SBI、PD指数在3、6、12个月与0个月比较有所下降,且差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,GHI指数随着时间推移均数有所升高,但各时间点之间差异并无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;B组的PLI、SBI、PD、GHI逐渐升高,且差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论牙周感染可能是肾移植术后环孢菌素A相关的牙龈增生的原因之一,术前进行牙周基础治疗对环孢菌素A相关的牙龈增生的发生有一定的预防作用。     

大鼠眶下孔注射高渗盐水阿霉素后三叉神经节的病理变化

目的：本实验旨在研究大鼠眶下孔注射高渗盐水阿霉素后,三叉神经功能和三叉神经节细胞病理形态的变化。方法：48只SD大鼠,随机分为A、B两组,每组24只,每组又分四个时间点：1周组,2周组,1月组,3月组取材,每时间点6只大鼠。将A、B组分别给予10%NaCl和1%阿霉素的混合溶液10μl眶下孔注射,生理盐水10μl眶下孔注射（B组）每组给药后于1周、2周、1月及3月时测试各组剩余大鼠的触须垫感觉功能,后处死取三叉神经节标本,制作H E染色切片,分别观察神经节细胞的形态学变化,用等距随机抽样法记录节细胞总数及异常节细胞率。结果：各组动物感觉功能测试,A、B组同时间点有统计学差异（P〈0.01）,眶下孔内神经周围注射高渗盐水阿霉素溶液后A 1-A 4组节细胞总数呈递减趋势（同组各时间点分别比较,P〈0.01）,显著低于B组同时间点（P〈0.01）,而与B组各时间点相比,无统计学差异（P〉0.05）;异常节细胞率A 1-A 4组呈递增趋势（A组各时间点相比（P〈0.01）,显著高于B组同时间点（P〈0.01）。结论：大鼠眶下孔内神经周围注射高渗盐水阿霉素后,阿霉素可在高渗盐水的作用下被神经纤维大量吸收并进一步逆行运输到三叉神经节,随着时间的延续引起三叉神经节细胞的渐进性退变。