Prospective Investigation of Optical Genome Mapping for Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Optical genome mapping (OGM) is a novel assay for detecting structural variants (SVs) and has been retrospectively evaluated for its performance. However, its prospective evaluation in prenatal diagnosis remains unreported. This study aimed to prospectively assess the technical concordance of OGM with standard of care (SOC) testing in prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 204 pregnant women was enrolled in this study. Amniotic fluid samples from these women were subjected to OGM and SOC testing, which included chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and karyotyping (KT) in parallel. The diagnostic yield of OGM was evaluated, and the technical concordance between OGM and SOC testing was assessed. RESULTS: OGM successfully analyzed 204 cultured amniocyte samples, even with a cell count as low as 0.24 million. In total, 60 reportable SVs were identified through combined OGM and SOC testing, with 22 SVs detected by all 3 techniques. The diagnostic yield for OGM, CMA, and KT was 25% (51/204), 22.06% (45/204), and 18.14% (37/204), respectively. The highest diagnostic yield (29.41%, 60/204) was achieved when OGM and KT were used together. OGM demonstrated a concordance of 95.56% with CMA and 75.68% with KT in this cohort study. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that OGM can be effectively applied in prenatal diagnosis using cultured amniocytes and exhibits high concordance with SOC testing. The combined use of OGM and KT appears to yield the most promising diagnostic outcomes.

[Birth weights of singleton neonates of 14 Chinese ethnic groups in 11 cities of China]. / 中国11市14ä¸ªæ°‘æ—å•èƒŽå„¿å‡ºç”Ÿä½“é‡ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To develop the birth weight curves of the Chinese Han (26-41 weeks of gestation) and Zhuang (28-41 weeks of gestation) singleton neonates in 11 cities of China, as well as the birth weight means of full-term neonates of 14 Chinese ethnic groups. METHODS: The live singleton neonates who were born in 11 maternal and child health care hospitals from 11 cities of China between January 2017 and December 2020 were classified according to the mother's ethnic group. Birth weight means were calculated for the full-term neonates of each ethnic group. For the Han and Zhuang singleton neonates with a large sample size, the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method was used to establish the birth weight percentile curves of the Han and Zhuang singleton neonates with different gestational ages. RESULTS: A total of 105 365 live singleton neonates were included, among whom the Han neonates had the highest number of 84 851 (26-41 weeks of gestation), followed by the Zhuang neonates (12 803 neonates with a gestational age of 28-41 weeks). The neonates of the other Chinese ethnic groups enrolled were live full-term singleton neonates, with a sample size of more than 100 neonates for each ethnic group. The 3rd-97th percentile curves of birth weight were established for the Han singleton neonates with a gestational age of 26-41 weeks and the Zhuang singleton neonates with a gestational age of 28-41 weeks. The birth weight curves of the Han singleton neonates at each gestational age were higher than those of the Zhuang singleton neonates. Birth weight means (3 199-3 499 g) and standard deviations were determined for 14 Chinese ethnic groups, i.e., Li, Mulao, Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Han, Buyi, Mongolian, Tujia, Yi, Hui, Man, and Korean ethnic groups. The Li ethnic group had the lowest birth weight, followed by the Mulao, Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Han, Buyi, Mongolian, Tujia, Yi, Hui, Man, and Korean ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 3rd-97th percentile curves of birth weight are developed for the Han (26-41 weeks of gestation) and Zhuang (28-41 weeks of gestation) singleton neonates in 11 cities of China, and birth weight means are determined for the full-term neonates of 14 Chinese ethnic groups in 11 cities of China, which provides a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of neonates in these ethnic groups.

Birth weight curves of twin neonates with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks and their regional differences in 11 cities of China: an analysis of 17 256 cases. / 中国11市17 256例胎龄25~40周双胎儿出生体重曲线及地区差异特征.

OBJECTIVES: To develop the birth weight curve of twin neonates with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve. METHODS: A total of 11 maternal and child health care hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live twin neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves. RESULTS: A total of 17 256 twin neonates with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of twin neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities in China were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Liuzhou was lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Ningbo was higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Lianyungang was obviously higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in other 8 cities was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities. CONCLUSIONS: The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of twin neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of twin neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of twin neonates in some cities is different from the average level of the 11 cities of China.

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of 5-Heterocycloxy-3-methyl-1-substituted-1H-pyrazoles.

With the objective of finding valuable herbicidal candidates, a series of new 5-heterocycloxy-3-methyl-1-substituted-1H-pyrazoles were synthesized and their herbicidal activities were evaluated. The bioassay results showed that some compounds exhibited excellent herbicidal activities at the concentration of 100 mg/L, and compound 5-chloro-2-((3-methyl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)oxy)pyrimidine showed bleaching activity to green weeds. In greenhouse conditions, this compound also showed excellent post-emergence herbicidal effect against Digitaria sanguinalis L. at the dosage of 750 g a. i. ha(-1).

Light propagation along the pericardium meridian at human wrist as evidenced by the optical experiment and Monte Carlo method.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of light propagation along the Pericardium Meridian and its surrounding areas at human wrist by using optical experiment and Monte Carlo method. METHODS: An experiment was carried out to obtain the distribution of diffuse light on Pericardium Meridian line and its surrounding areas at the wrist, and then a simplified model based on the anatomical structure was proposed to simulate the light transportation within the same area by using Monte Carlo method. RESULTS: The experimental results showed strong accordance with the Monte Carlo simulation that the light propagation along the Pericardium Meridian had an advantage over its surrounding areas at the wrist. CONCLUSION: The advantage of light transport along Pericardium Merdian line was related to components and structure of tissue, also the anatomical structure of the area that the Pericardium Meridian line runs.

Effect of Ren meridian acupoints moxibustion on light propagation along the pericardium meridian at human wrist.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between acupoints and meridians. METHODS: Researches were performed on 45 healthy people under the same conditions. The diffuse light intensity of the Pericardium meridian and its surrounding areas were measured before and after warming moxibustion on three acupoints [Shimen (RN5), Qihai (RN6), and Yinjiao (RN7)] of Ren meridian below umbilicus in the same way. Then two sets of data of each sample were used for statistics and analysis, as well as the three-dimensional distribution figures. Statistical definition of probability value was used to evaluate the effect made by moxibustion. RESULTS: After moxibustion, the diffuse light intensity presented significant changes in 25 samples (P<0.05), enhanced in 15 people (P<0.05) and decreased in 10 (P<0.05). It was consistent with the classification by questionnaire interviews of somatotypes. In addition, diffuse light changed more obviously on Pericardium than non-meridian areas. It was distinct in the three-dimensional distribution figures. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse light changes happened in entire measure sites demonstrated that acupoints of Ren meridian moxibustion could affect the light propagation of wrist, especially on the Pericardium meridian. It gave an expression to meridians interconnection as said in the Chinese medicine theory. The two classifications made by light propagation changes were experimental corroboration of that personal physical differences affected the manipulation of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. These above provided some implications or new directions to future meridian researches.

Effects of laser irradiation of acupuncture points Shenshu on ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effect of laser acupuncture on obesity in postmenopausal women remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of this form of treatment using an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into seven groups: normal control (Normal), sham-operation control (Sham), ovariectomized (OVX) control rats (OVX), OVX rats treated with estrogen (OVX + E), and three groups of ovariectomized rats treated with laser acupuncture (OVX + L). Bilateral ovaries were removed to decrease estrogen levels. After 2 wk, semiconductor laser irradiation was administered to bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) acupoints of rats in the three OVX + L groups at 12, 30, and 60 J/cm(2), respectively. Changes in body weight and pituitary estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA expression were analyzed. Morphological differences in the uterus and pituitary glands were also observed. RESULTS: The OVX group exhibited marked weight gain and a significant decrease in pituitary ERα mRNA expression. Semiconductor laser irradiation at 30 J/cm(2) reduced body weight and increased ERα expression compared with the control, whereas irradiation at 12 or 60 J/cm(2) presented slightly weaker effects. Significant differences in pituitary ERß mRNA were not observed due to lack of optical density data. CONCLUSIONS: The semiconductor laser irradiation of bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) acupoints can exert beneficial effects on OVX rats through reducing body weight and increasing pituitary ERα expression, and 30 J/cm(2) was the most effective dose among those used.

[Research on Zhejiang blood information network and management system].

This research was aimed to develop the first level blood information centralized database and real time communication network at a province area in China. Multiple technology like local area network database separate operation, real time data concentration and distribution mechanism, allopatric backup, and optical fiber virtual private network (VPN) were used. As a result, the blood information centralized database and management system were successfully constructed, which covers all the Zhejiang province, and the real time exchange of blood data was realised. In conclusion, its implementation promote volunteer blood donation and ensure the blood safety in Zhejiang, especially strengthen the quick response to public health emergency. This project lays the first stone of centralized test and allotment among blood banks in Zhejiang, and can serve as a reference of contemporary blood bank information systems in China.

[Application of microcolumn gel immunoassay in screening the platelet antibody].

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical value of the platelet antibody screening and typing in platelets transfusion by using microcolumn gel immunoassay (MGIA). The platelets antigen-antibody reactions including the antibody screen and blood crossmatch were detected by MGIA. The results indicated that the detection of platelet antibody showed positive in 30 cases of aplastic anemia (AA), 11 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 24 out of 25 cases of leukemia and 1 out of cases of other diseases, while detection of platelet antibody showed negative in 20 normal volunteer donors. The number of platelet antibody crossmatch coincidence in 112 specimens of AA, 42 specimens of MDS and 95 specimens of leukemia were 45, 20 and 40, the coincidence rates were 40.18%, 47.62% and 42.11%. The mean corrected count increment (CCI) in 20 patients received platelet transfusion many times was 18.2 after crossmatch and 4.7 before crossmatch. It is concluded that the positive rate of platelet antibody screening is very high in patients with hematologic malignancies, the coincidence rate of platelet antibody crossmatch in 249 blood samples is between 40% and 48%, and the efficiency of using crossmatched platelets in clinic is enhanced significantly.