Notes

A versatile method for neuromuscular activation and also documenting in the computer mouse style using a light and portable magnetically combined headmount.
To analyze the clinical and molecular characteristics of a child with very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD).

Peripheral blood sample of the patient was collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was carried out for the proband. Suspected mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing.

The patient, a 12-month-old girl, was admitted for diarrhea, vomiting, fever, poor spirit and decreased blood pressure. AZD3514 in vivo During the course of the disease, she also manifested hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiogenic shock, elevated myocardial enzyme kinase, fever and metabolic acidosis, and had died after three days due to ventricular tachycardia and respiratory failure. Genetic testing showed that she has carried heterozygous mutations of of the ACADVL gene, namely c.664G>A (exon 8) and c.1056_1057del (exon 10). Blood screening for metabolic genetic diseases showed increased C12, C14, C16, C18, C141, C142, C161, C4/C3 and C8/C3, accompanied with decreased C0, C0/C16 and C8/C10. VLCADD and secondary carnitine deficiency could not be excluded, which was in keeping with the result of genetic testing.

The child was diagnosed with VLCADD, which may be attributed to the compound heterozygous c.664G>A and c.1056_1057del variants of the ACADVL gene.
A and c.1056_1057del variants of the ACADVL gene.
To explore the clinical features and molecular basis of a Chinese pedigree with two siblings affected by cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (PORD).

Clinical features of the patients were reviewed, and their genomic DNA was subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS).

The two siblings presented peculiar facies, genital hypoplasia and skeletal deformity. NGS revealed that both have carried compound heterozygous variants of the POR gene, namely c.1370G>A and c.517-19_517-10delGGCCCCTGTGinsC, which were respectively inherited from their parents.

Both siblings were diagnosed with PORD based on sequencing of the POR gene. The newly discovered POR c.517-19_517-10delGGCCCCTGTGinsC has enriched the spectrum of PORD-related genetic variants.
Both siblings were diagnosed with PORD based on sequencing of the POR gene. The newly discovered POR c.517-19_517-10delGGCCCCTGTGinsC has enriched the spectrum of PORD-related genetic variants.
To carry out genetic and metabolite analysis for an infant with cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome type 2 (CCDS2).

Clinical data of the child was collected. Whole-exome sequencing was carried out to identify potential variants by next generation sequencing. Candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Metabolites were determined by tandem mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Treatment was carried out following the diagnosis and genetic counseling for the affected family.

Two novel heterozygous variants (c.289delC and c.392-1G>C) of the GAMT gene were identified in the proband, which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. In silico analysis suggested both variants to be pathogenic. Creatine (Cr) level of the child was very low, and cerebral guanidinoacetate (GAA) level was slightly increased. But both had recovered to normal in two weeks, and cerebral Cr level was significantly improved after two months. Intellectual and motor development of the child were significantly improved.

The child was diagnosed with CCDS type 2, for which pathogenic variants of the GAMT gene may be accountable. Treatment has attained a satisfactory effect for the patient.
The child was diagnosed with CCDS type 2, for which pathogenic variants of the GAMT gene may be accountable. Treatment has attained a satisfactory effect for the patient.
To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a patient with 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency.

The patient was infertile without contraception. Laboratory examination showed her chromosomal karyotype to be 46, XX. DNA sequencing was performed to detect variants of CYP17A1 gene in the patient and her family members.

Sanger sequencing revealed that the patient has carried homozygous variant c.1486C>T in the exon 8 of the CYP17A1 gene, which resulted in substitution of arginine by cysteine (p.Arg496Cys). Her family members were all heterozygotes for the same variant.

Homozygous variant of the CYP17A1 gene c.1486C>T probably underlay the 17-hydroxylase deficiency in this patient. Above finding has enabled accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.
T probably underlay the 17-hydroxylase deficiency in this patient. Above finding has enabled accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.
To explore the correlation between altered levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal lobe and hippocampus and behavioral abnormalities in a Clock
variant mice modeling bipolar disorder manic disorder.

Open field test and Elevated plus-maze test were carried out on the Clock
mutant and wild-type control groups. The frontal lobe and hippocampus of Clock
mutant mice and controls were dissected, and neurotransmitters in tissue extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of neurotransmitters and behavioral indicators were assessed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS 22.0.

The Clock
mutant mice showed a significant increase in activity, albeit with no difference in the level of anxiety from the wild-type controls, which suggested that the Clock
mutant mice can be used as a model for manic attack of bipolar disorder. Altered neurotransmitter levels were detected in the frontal and hippocampal regions, including elevated histamine in the left hippocampus, reduced histamine in the right hippocampus, reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in bilateral hippocampus, elevated dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in the left frontal lobe and reduced DOPA in the right hippocampus, and decreased glutamine in bilateral frontal lobes. The reduced glutamine in the left frontal lobe and GABA in the right hippocampus correlated with the increased activity of Clock
mutant mice.

Clock
mutant mice showed abnormal behavior with increased activity. Reduced glutamine in the left frontal lobe and GABA in the right hippocampus were correlated with increased activity.
Clockdelta19 mutant mice showed abnormal behavior with increased activity. Reduced glutamine in the left frontal lobe and GABA in the right hippocampus were correlated with increased activity.
To analyze the action of miRNA-326 on its target gene BCL-XL and the molecular mechanism of platelet apoptosis regulated by miRNAs.

Dual-luciferase vectors containing respectively the wild-type and mutant 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) fragments of the BCL-XL gene were constructed with firefly and renilla luciferases and transfected into 293T cells. Relative fluorescence intensities of the transfected cells were measured.

Dual-luciferase reporter gene vectors for PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-WT (wild-type) and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-MT (variant) were respectively constructed. Relative fluorescence intensities of the 293T cells co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-WT plasmid were significantly lower compared with the control group (co-transfected by a miRNA-326 negative sequence and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-WT plasmid) ( P = 0.034). The relative fluorescence intensity was also significantly reduced in cells co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-WT plasmid compared with the mutant control group co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-MT plasmid (P = 0.022).

miRNA-326 may participate in the regulation of platelet apoptosis by acting on the 3'-UTR of the BCL-XL gene.
miRNA-326 may participate in the regulation of platelet apoptosis by acting on the 3'-UTR of the BCL-XL gene.
To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-125a-5p targeted regulation of scavenger receptor B1 (Scarb1) gene on anoxia/reoxygenation injury of rat cardiomyocytes.

H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into blank control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation group, transfection control group and mir-125a-5p transfection group. The expression of miR-125a-5p, cardiomyocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ATP content and the expression of Scarb1, Cyt C, Bax, Bcl-2 and NF-κB signaling pathway related proteins were determined. Target gene of miR-125a-5p was predicted with Targetscan software, and the targeting of miR-125a-5p on Scarb1 was verified by double luciferase reporter gene experiment.

Compared with the blank control group, the expression of miR-125a-5p, Bax, Cyt C and the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression of Scarb1, Bcl-2 and the content of ATP were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the situation of mir-125a-5p transfection group was just the opposite. Double luciferase reporter gene experiment has confirmed Scarb1 to be the target of miR-125a-5p. Hypoxia/reoxygenation can promote the expression of NF-κB p65, C-myc and Cyclin D1 in cardiomyocytes, while down-regulating the expression of miR-125a-5p can inhibit the expression of such proteins.

Hypoxia/reoxygenation can induce the expression of miR-125a-5p in rat cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of miR-125a-5p can protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation by up-regulating the expression of Scarb1. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
Hypoxia/reoxygenation can induce the expression of miR-125a-5p in rat cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of miR-125a-5p can protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation by up-regulating the expression of Scarb1. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
To provide appropriate treatment strategy and precise genetic counseling through studying the phenotype and genotype of a patient featuring learning difficulty and abnormal gait.

Detailed history taking, physical examination and auxiliary examination (including neuropsychological evaluation, brain imaging and skeletal system X ray) were conducted. The patient was also analyzed by whole exome sequencing, G banding karyotyping and array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Multiples ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was applied to his parents to determine the origin of genomic variation.

In addition to obvious dermatological manifestation (Cafe-au-Lait spots), the patient also had facial abnormalities, ocular disorders, skeletal malformations, neurological manifestations, psychiatric and behavioral abnormalities. Whole exome sequencing and G banding karyotyping were both negative. aCGH has identified a microdeletion at 17q11.2, which encompassed the NF1 and neighboring genes. Neither parents has carried the same microdeletion by MLPA analysis.

The patient had a de novo 17q11.2 microdeletion, which probably accounted for his neurofibromatosis type 1-microdeletion syndrome phenotype.
The patient had a de novo 17q11.2 microdeletion, which probably accounted for his neurofibromatosis type 1-microdeletion syndrome phenotype.
To analyze variation of ISL1 gene and explore its functional characteristics in relation with congenital heart defect (CHD).

Clinical data and peripheral blood samples of 194 CHD patients and 232 healthy controls were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. The coding exons and flanking intronic regions of the ISL1 gene were sequenced. Expression plasmid for the wild-type ISL1 gene ISL1-pcDNA3.1 was constructed, and the corresponding variants were obtained by site-specific mutagenesis. The gene expression plasmid was transfected into CHO cells with liposome, and the functional characteristics of ISL1 variant were studied by double luciferase reporter gene analysis.

A novel variant of the ISL1 gene c.499C>T (p.Q167X) was detected in a patient with sporadic CHD. Functional study showed that the variant has lost its transcriptional activation function for the MEF2C promoter.

A novel variant of the ISL1 gene related to CHD has been identified. The defect of ISL1 gene may underlay the pathogenesis for a proportion of CHD.
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