Establishment of a non-integrated iPSC (SDQLCHi066-A) line derived from Segawa syndrome patients harboring heterozygous mutations in the TH gene (p.G247S and p.D491H).

Segawa syndrome, an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, arises from homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the TH gene. We established an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an 4-month-old girl with Segawa syndrome, who carried compound heterozygous mutations of c.739G > A/chr11:2188714 and c.1471G > C/chr11:2185579 in TH. The iPSCs displayed a normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency markers, were devoid of genomically integrated episomal plasmids, and demonstrated trilineage differentiation potential in vitro.

Establishment of a non-integrated iPSC (SDQLCHi068-A) line derived from a patient with autosomal dominant immunodeficiency-14A carrying a heterozygous mutation (c.3061G>A) in PIK3CD gene.

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit delta (PIK3CD) gene (OMIM#602839) encodes the p110δ catalytic subunit, mainly expressed in immune cells, and is associated with autosomal dominant immunodeficiency-14A with lymphoproliferation (IMD14A, #615513). We generated a human iPS cell line from a 50-month-old boy with IMD14A carrying a heterozygous mutation (c.3061G>A, p.E1021K) in PIK3CD gene. This cell line retains the original mutation site and shows differentiation potential towards three germ layers in vitro, which can be used as a disease model for research.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with Canavan disease due to compound heterozygous variants of ASPA gene].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics for a child with Canavan disease. METHODS: A child who was admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University on April 9, 2021 for inability to uphold his head for 2 months and increased muscle tone for one week was subjected to whole exome sequencing, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Genetic testing revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the ASPA gene, including a paternally derived c.556_559dupGTTC (p. L187Rfs*5) and a maternally derived c.919delA (p. S307Vfs*24). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3). CONCLUSION: The c.556_559dupGTTC (p.L187Rfs*5) and c.919delA (p.S307Vfs*24) compound heterozygous variants of the ASPA gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of Canavan disease in this child.

An integration-free iPSC line SDQLCHi065-A from a patient with down syndrome, possessing a 47, XY,+21, inv(9)(p12q21),16qh + karyotype.

Down syndrome, a chromosomal aneuploidy genetic disorder, is primarily caused by trisomy 21 in all cells of a patient's body. In fewer cases, it can be attributed to a trisomy 21 chimera or trisomy 21 in specific cells within the body. We established an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an 8-day-old boy with Down syndrome possessing a 47, XY,+21, inv(9)(p12q21),16qh + karyotype. The iPSCs exhibited consistent karyotype, expressed markers indicative of pluripotency, lacked genomic integration of episomal plasmids, and demonstrated in vitro differentiation potential across three germ layers.

Establishment of a non-integrated iPSC line (SDQLCHi043-A) from a male infant with propionic acidemia carrying compound heterozygote mutations in PCCB gene.

In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were contributed from a male infant with propionic acidemia (PA) verified by clinical and genetic diagnosis, who inherited compound heterozygous mutations in the propionyl-CoA carboxylase subunit beta (PCCB) gene. Here, this iPS was generated by non-integrated episomal vectors with SOX2, BCL-XL, OCT4, C-MYC and OCT4. Also, this iPSC line exhibited the morphology of pluripotent stem cells, upward mRNA and protein expression of pluripotency markers, conspicuous in vitro differentiation potency and regular karyotype, and carried PCCB gene mutations, which provided an excellent model for the research and drug screening of PA.

Specific rules for time and space of multisensory plasticity in the superior colliculus.

Cat superior colliculus (SC) neurons commonly combine information from different senses, which facilitates event detection and localization. Integration in SC multisensory neurons depends on the spatial and temporal relationships between cross-modal cues. Here, we revealed the parallel process of short-term plasticity in the temporal/spatial integration process during adulthood that adapts multisensory integration to reliable changes in environmental conditions. Short-term experience alters the temporal preferences of SC multisensory neurons, and this short-term plasticity in the temporal/spatial integration process is limited to changes in cross-modal timing (a factor commonly induced by events at different distances from the receiver). However, this plasticity was not evident in response to changes in the cross-modal spatial configuration.

Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Rats based on the Mongolian medicine.

Depression is a prevalent affective disorder and constitutes a leading cause of global disability. The limitations of current pharmacological interventions contribute to the substantial health burden attributed to this condition. There is a pressing need for a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of depression, making pre-clinical models with translational potential highly valuable. Mongolian medicine, a subset of traditional medicine, posits that disease occurrence is closely tied to the equilibrium of wind, bile, and Phlegm. In this study, we introduce a protocol for the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) method in rats. Within this framework, rats are subjected to a series of fluctuating, mild stressors to induce a depression-like phenotype, mimicking the pathogenesis of human depression. Behavioral assays employed in this protocol include the sucrose preference test (SPT), indicative of anhedonia-a core symptom of depression; the open field test (OFT), which measures anxiety levels; and the Morris water maze test (MWM), which evaluates spatial memory and learning abilities. The CUMS method demonstrates the capability to induce anhedonia and to cause long-term behavioral deficits. Furthermore, this protocol is more aligned with Mongolian medical theory than other animal models designed to elicit depression-like behavior. The development of this animal model and subsequent research provide a robust foundation for future innovative studies in the realm of Mongolian medicine.

Establishment of a transgene-free iPS cell line (SDQLCHi046-A) from a young patient bearing a HDAC8 mutation and suffering from Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.

In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from a young male patient bearing a histone deacetyl-lase 8 (HDAC8) mutation and suffering from Cornelia de Lange Syndrome verified by clinical and genetic diagnosis. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were established by a non-integrative method, using plasmids carrying OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, BCL-XL and C-MYC. The established iPSCs presented typical pluripotent cells morphology, and expressed pluripotent stem cell markers at the mRNA and protein level. The iPSCs also showed differentiative capacity in vitro, and a normal karyotype. In addition, the established iPSCs still carried the HDAC8 mutation observed in the donor tissue.

[Analysis of PRX gene variants in a child with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4F].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of a child suspected for peroneal muscular atrophy. METHODS: The child and his parents were analyzed by using next generation sequencing. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.52G>T (p.Glu18X) and c.1390C>T (p.Arg464X) of the PRX gene, which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. Among these, the c.52G>T variant was previously unreported. Based on the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PM3, PVS1+PM3-Strong+PM2+BS2). CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous variants of the PRX gene probably underlay the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4F in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the PRX gene.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with ZTTK syndrome due to heterozygous variant of SON gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of a small-for-date infant with gastrointestinal bleeding, developmental delay and thrombocytopenia (Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim syndrome). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory examinations were carried out for the patient. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect potential variant associated with the disease. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the child and her parents. RESULTS: NGS revealed that the child has carried a heterozygous c.5751_5754del variant of the SON gene, which resulted in a frameshift p.V1918Efs*87. The same variant was detected in neither parent. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous variant of SON gene probably underlay the ZTTK syndrome in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SON gene and provides a basis for genetic counseling and clinical decision-making.

A non-integrated iPSC line (SDQLCHi042-A) from a boy suffering from familial combined hyperlipidemia with compound heterozygous mutations of lipoprotein lipase gene.

In this study, peripheral blood monouclear cells (PBMCs) were donated from a boy suffering from familial combined hyperlipidemia confirmed by clinical and genetic diagnosis, which carried compound heterozygous mutations of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene. The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) was generated with non-integrated episomal vectors carrying OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, BCL-XL and C-MYC. The iPSCs presented the morphology of pluripotent cells, highly expressed mRNA and protein of pluripotent markers, excellent differentiation potency in vitro and normal karyotype, and bore LPL gene mutations.

Development of duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of oilfish- and escolar-derived components.

BACKGROUND: Oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus) and escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) are often used to adulterate high-value aquatic products, causing serious economic losses to consumers, and even keriorrhea in severe cases. It was difficult to identify them by morphological features for these two fish were processed into steak or fillet. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to develop an accurate and efficient method for detecting the oilfish- and escolar-derived components. RESULTS: By comparing the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of oilfish, escolar, and 16 varieties susceptible to adulteration, specific primers/probes were designed, and a duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was established to detect oilfish- and escolar-derived components. The specificity and sensitivity of the method were analyzed, and the method was used to analyze 70 commercial samples to evalutate its applicability to actual samples in the market. The method developed was highly specific, without any cross-reaction on the other 16 species, with a limit of detection (LOD) for DNA of 0.0002 ng µL-1 for R. pretiosus and 0.002 ng µL-1 for L. flavobrunneum. In addition, the LOD for mixed muscle tissues was 0.1 g kg-1 . Oilfish- and escolar-derived components were detected in 12 of the 70 commercial samples, a result that is consistent with the classic DNA barcoding test results. CONCLUSION: The duplex real-time PCR method developed can be used to detect oilfish and escolar specifically, sensitively and accurately; it provides a good technical support for the identification of authentic aquatic products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

IFT80 Improves Invasion Ability in Gastric Cancer Cell Line via ift80/p75NGFR/MMP9 Signaling.

The assembly and maintenance of cilia depend on intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins, which play an important role in development and homeostasis. IFT80 is a newly defined IFT protein and partial mutation of IFT80 in humans causes diseases such as Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (JATD) and short rib polydactyly (SRP) type III, both characterized by abnormal skeletal development. However, the role and mechanism of IFT80 in the invasion of gastric cancer is unknown. We established SGC-7901 and MKN-45 gastric cancer cell lines that stably overexpressed IFT80, as verified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) plays an important role in tumor invasion, and its expression was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The invasion ability of IFT80 on SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells was examined by the Matrigel invasion assay. The relationship between p75NGFR, and the p75NGFR antagonists, PD90780 and IFT80, were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. We first detected an IFT80 expression pattern, and found that IFT80 was highly expressed in gastric cancer clinical samples. Overexpression of IFT80 in the gastric cancer cell lines, SGC-7901 and MKN-45, led to lengthening cilia. Additionally, overexpression of IFT80 significantly improved proliferation and invasion, but inhibited apoptosis, in gastric cancer cells. We further found that overexpression of IFT80 increased p75NGFR and MMP9 mRNA and protein expression. Treatment with the p75NGFR antagonist PD90780 inhibited the increased invasion ability resulting from overexpression of IFT80 in SGC-7901 and MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. Thus, these results suggest that IFT80 plays an important role in invasion of gastric cancer through regulating the ift80/p75NGFR/MMP9 signal pathways.

The effect of resveratrol on surgery-induced epidural fibrosis in laminectomy rats.

Epidural fibrosis (EF) is a common complication for the patients who underwent laminectomy. Recently, EF is thought to cause recurrent postoperative pain after laminectomy. Resveratrol has been shown to exert its anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiproliferative multifaceted properties. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on the prevention of postlaminectomy EF formation in laminectomy rats. A controlled double-blinded study was performed on 60 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent lumbar laminectomy at the L1-L2 levels. They were divided randomly into 3 groups (1, 2, and 3) of 20 rats each-group 1: resveratrol treatment group; group 2: resveratrol dilution saline treatment group; group 3: sham group (rats underwent laminectomy without treatment). All rats were killed 4 weeks after operation. The Rydell score, hydroxyproline content, vimentin cells density, fibroblasts density, and inflammatory factors expressional levels all suggested better results in resveratrol group than the other two groups. Resveratrol is able to inhibit fibroblasts proliferation, and TGF- ß 1 and IL-6 expressions and prevent epidural fibrosis in postlaminectomy rat.

[Diversity and antimicrobial activities of actinomycetes from pesticide-contaminated spots in Shandong Peninsula].

OBJECTIVE: In order to study diversity and find antimicrobial activities of actinomycetes from pesticide-contaminated spots in Shandong Peninsula. METHODS: The phylogenetic analysis of 154 isolated strains was done based on 16SrDNA sequences. Antimicrobial activities of 10 non-Streptomyces strains were tested by using cylinder-plate method and hypha growth rate method. RESULTS: Among the strains, 154 strains belonged to 7 families, 8 genera: Streptomyces (87.01%), Kocuria, Microbacterium, Nocardiopsis, Knoellia, Pseudonocardia, Micromonospora, Actinoplanes. The fermentation broths of 10 non-Streptomyces strains had inhibitory actives against all tested phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, Gibberella zeae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum gloesporioides) and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtills, Bacillus cereus, Escherichai coli, Pseudomonas aeruginos) , especially Microbacterium oxydans JN853773 and Kocuria rosea JN192402 had strong inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION: Abundant diversity of actinomycetes existed in pesticide contaminated spots in Shandong Peninsula. Microbacterium oxydans JN853773 and Kocuria rosea JN192402 showed high antimicrobial activities and could be further exploited.