[Evaluation of brain volume changes in patients with painful temporomandibular disorders using voxel-based morphometry]

Objective: To evaluate the altered brain volume of the patients with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Methods: One hundred forty-six TMD patients ［age (36.8±15.8) years, male/female=44/102］ and 193 normal controls (NC) ［age (43.3±15.6) years, male/female = 92/101］ were performed with 3 dimensional brain structural images at 3.0 T MR scanner from November 2011 to December 2019 in Department of Radiology, Hainan Hospital and General Hospital of Chinese PLA. The brain structural images were segmented into gray matter, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid, and the gray matter images were performed with two-samples t-test with total intracranial volume, age and gender as covariates. Results: The gray matter volume (GMV) presented significantly higher in TMD group ［(632.4±65.4) ml］ than that in NC group ［(596.1±76.3) ml］ (t=4.70, P<0.05). The brain regions with increased GMV for TMD located in left inferior temporal gyrus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus and right lingual gyrus compared with NC. Conclusions: The temporal lobe was the targeting brain region for TMD patients with increased GMV, which should further be investigated to elucidate the neuromechanism.

[Analysis of clinicopathological features of clear cell tumor of the lung]

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features of clear cell tumor of the lung (CCTL). Methods: A total of 9 cases were collected from August 2008 to August 2019 in the Department of Pathology of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital and Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital. Their clinical data, pathological characteristics, immunohistochemical staining and special staining results were summarized and analyzed. Results: There were 3 males and 6 females, aged from 28 to 70 years (average 52.2 years). All tumors were located in the peripheral part of the lung, and were solitary in 8 cases, and multiple (24 nodules) in 1 case. The lesion was round or oval, with clear boundary. The diameter of the nodule was 0.5-5.5 cm. Histologically, the tumor cells were oval, short fusiform or polygonal, with obvious nucleoli. The tumor cells were mostly distributed in sheet around thin-walled vessels, and there was hyaline degeneration around the blood vessels. Neither necrosis nor mitosis could be seen. Immunohistochemical staining showed tumor cells were diffusely positive for Vimentin, and CD34, Melan-A, specific monoclonal antibody against melanoma (HMB45) and S-100 were positive with different degrees. Broad spectrum cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, CD10, paired box gene 8 (PAX-8) or myomodulatory protein (Myo-D1) were all negative. The positive index of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) was low. Schiff dyeing with periodate (PAS) staining was positive, PAS staining of glycogen digested by amylase (d-PAS) staining was negative. All the tumors in the nine cases were resected and patients were followed up for 5-137 months. Except 1 case was lost for follow-up, the other 8 cases survived without recurrence or metastasis of the disease. Conclusions: CCTL is a rare benign tumor, most of which are single, few of which can be multiple; histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical staining are helpful for diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis. After complete resection, the prognosis was good. However, when histological features indicating malignancy, intense follow-up should be considered.

CMA analysis identifies homozygous deletion of MCPH1 in 2 brothers with primary Microcephaly-1

Background

Homozygous mutations and deletions of the microcephalin gene (MCPH1; OMIM *607117) have been identified as a cause of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly and intellectual disability (MIM #251200). Previous studies in families of Asian descent suggest that the severity of the phenotype may vary based on the extent of the genomic alteration. We report chromosome microarray (CMA) findings and the first described family study of a patient with primary microcephaly in a consanguineous Hispanic family.

Case presentation

The proband, a boy born at full-term to consanguineous parents from Mexico, presented at 35 months of age with microcephaly, abnormal brain MRI findings, underdeveloped right lung, almond-shaped eyes, epicanthal folds, bilateral esotropia, low hairline, large ears, smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and developmental delay. MRI of the brain showed a small dermoid or lipoma (without mass effect) within the interpeduncular cistern and prominent arachnoid granulation. The underdeveloped right lung was managed with long-acting inhaled corticosteroids. Otherwise the proband did not have any other significant medical history. The proband had 2 older brothers, ages 14 and 16, from the same consanguineous parents. The 14-year-old brother had a phenotype similar to that of the proband, while both parents and the oldest brother did not have the same phenotypic findings as the proband. The SNP-based CMA analysis of the proband detected a homozygous 250-kb microdeletion at 8p23.2p23.1, extending from 6,061,169 to 6,310,738 bp [hg19]. This genomic alteration encompasses the first 8 exons of MCPH1. Follow-up studies detected the same homozygous deletion in the affected brother, segregating with microcephaly and intellectual disability. Regions of homozygosity (ROHs) were also observed in the affected brother. Since ROHs are associated with an increased risk for recessive disorders, presence of ROH may also contribute to the phenotype of the affected brothers. The parents were both hemizygous for the deletion.

Conclusion

Here we report a homozygous deletion of multiple exons of the MCPH1 gene that was associated with primary microcephaly and intellectual disability in a Hispanic family. In the context of previous studies, our results support the idea that deletions involving multiple exons cause a more severe phenotype than point mutations.

[The effects of tympanoplasty on improvements of hearing and tinnitus for chronic otitis media patients with tinnitus]

Objective:The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of hearing and tinnitus improvement levels in chronic otitis media (COM) patients after tympanoplasty.Method:Thirty-five cases with COM, accompanied with tinnitus on the affected side or undefined sides, were enrolled and accepted for tympanoplasty between May 2015 and Dec 2016. Audiologic evaluation by pure tone audiometry and assessment of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores were conducted in pre-operation and 3 months post-operation. The mean air conduction (AC), boneconduction (BC), air-bone gap (ABG) at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz was calculated. THI scores were recorded and analyzed.Result:All the patients healed well and the felthearing was improved and tinnitus symptoms alleviated. There was a significant difference between post-operative THI score (15.0±5.6) and pre-operative score (21.2±7.4), t= 7.8, P< 0.01. Significant differenceswerealso found in comparison of pre-operative AC (41.6±9.9)dBHL and post-operative AC(32.5±10.0)dBHL, t= 5.9, P< 0.01, pre-operative ABG (27.0±7.4)dBHL and post-operative ABG (18.3±7.7)dBHL,t= 6.5, P< 0.01. However, the value of BC in the pre-operation (14.5±5.9)dBHL was almost the same as that in post-operation(13.9±6.0)dBHL, t= 1.2, P> 0.05. Hearing improve levels aboutAC and ABG were positively correlated with the remission degree of tinnitus post-operatively (t= 0.9, P< 0.01).Conclusion:Patients accompanied with tinnitus experienced a remarkableremission in tinnitus and recoveryin hearing levelfollowed bytympanoplasty.Tympanoplasty was a positive treatment for relievingtinnitus in COM patients.

Abnormalities in spontaneous abortions detected by G-banding and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) at a national reference laboratory

Background

Cytogenetic evaluation of products of conception (POC) for chromosomal abnormalities is central to determining the cause of pregnancy loss. We compared the test success rates in various specimen types and the frequencies of chromosomal abnormalities detected by G-banding analysis with those found by Oligo-SNP chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). We evaluated the benefit of CMA testing in cases of failed culture growth.

Methods

Conventional cytogenetic results of 5457 consecutive POC specimens were reviewed and categorized as placental villi, fetal parts, and unspecified POC tissue. The CMA was performed on 268 cases. Of those, 32 cases had concurrent G-banding results. The remaining 236 cases included 107 cases with culture failure and 129 cases evaluated by CMA alone.

Results

The overall POC culture success rate was 75%, with the lowest for fetal parts (37.4%) and the highest for placental villi (81%). The abnormality rate was 58% for placental villi, but only 25% for fetal parts. Of the abnormalities detected, the most common were aneuploidies, including trisomy 16, triploidy, monosomy X, trisomy 22, trisomy 21 and trisomy 15, while the least encountered aneuploidies were trisomy 1, trisomy 19 and monosomies (except monosomy 21). Overall, POC specimens studied by CMA were successful in 89.6% of cases and yielded a 44.6% abnormality rate.

Conclusions

Placental villi yielded higher rates of culture success and a higher percentage of abnormal karyotypes than did other specimen types. The Oligo-SNP CMA method has demonstrated a viable alternative to the G-banding method in view of its advantages in detection of submicroscopic genomic aberrations, shorter turnaround time due to elimination of time required for culture and a higher test success rate.

Neocentric X-chromosome in a girl with Turner-like syndrome

BACKGROUND

Neocentromeres are rare human chromosomal aberrations in which a new centromere has formed in a previously non-centromeric location. We report the finding of a structurally abnormal X chromosome with a neocentromere in a 15-year-old girl with clinical features suggestive of Turner syndrome, including short stature and primary amenorrhea.

RESULT

G-banded chromosome analysis revealed a mosaic female karyotype involving two abnormal cell lines. One cell line (84% of analyzed metaphases) had a structurally abnormal X chromosome (duplication of the long arm and deletion of the short arm) and a normal X chromosome. The other cell line (16% of cells) exhibited monosomy X. C-banding studies were negative for the abnormal X chromosome. FISH analysis revealed lack of hybridization of the abnormal X chromosome with both the X centromere-specific probe and the "all human centromeres" probe, a pattern consistent with lack of the X chromosome endogenous centromere. A FISH study using an XIST gene probe revealed the presence of two XIST genes, one on each long arm of the iso(Xq), required for inactivation of the abnormal X chromosome. R-banding also demonstrated inactivation of the abnormal X chromosome. An assay for centromeric protein C (CENP-C) was positive on both the normal and the abnormal X chromosomes. The position of CENP-C in the abnormal X chromosome defined a neocentromere, which explains its mitotic stability. The karyotype is thus designated as 46,X,neo(X)(qter- > q12::q12- > q21.2- > neo- > q21.2- > qter)[42]/45,X[8], which is consistent with stigmata of Turner syndrome. The mother of this patient has a normal karyotype; however, the father was not available for study.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case of mosaic Turner syndrome involving an analphoid iso(Xq) chromosome with a proven neocentromere among 90 previously described cases with a proven neocentromere.

Inherited and de novo 22q11.2 distal duplications in two patients with autistic features, speech delay and no dysmorphology

In a screen of patients by fluorescence in-situ hybridization and array comparative genomic hybridization in the past two years (July 2007--July 2009), we identified two patients with duplications in the 22q11.22-23, occurring outside the common DiGeorge syndrome/valocardiofacial syndrome region. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and high density bacterial artificial chromosomes and oligo arrays were used to identify the extent of the duplications. In one patient the duplication extended from LCR22-E/5 to LCR22-H/8, which is similar to recently described 22q11.2 distal duplications, while in the second patient, a de novo duplication was identified extending between LCR22-E/5 to LCR22-F/6. The second proband also harbored a de novo 15q14 duplication, complicating phenotype interpretation. The patients were affected with speech delay and autistic features, but neither reported cardiac concern or dysmorphic features.

Spectral Karyotyping for identification of constitutional chromosomal abnormalities at a national reference laboratory

Spectral karyotyping is a diagnostic tool that allows visualization of chromosomes in different colors using the FISH technology and a spectral imaging system. To assess the value of spectral karyotyping analysis for identifying constitutional supernumerary marker chromosomes or derivative chromosomes at a national reference laboratory, we reviewed the results of 179 consecutive clinical samples (31 prenatal and 148 postnatal) submitted for spectral karyotyping. Over 90% of the cases were requested to identify either small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) or chromosomal exchange material detected by G-banded chromosome analysis. We also reviewed clinical indications of those cases with marker chromosomes in which chromosomal origin was identified by spectral karyotyping. Our results showed that spectral karyotyping identified the chromosomal origin of marker chromosomes or the source of derivative chromosomal material in 158 (88%) of the 179 clinical cases; the identification rate was slightly higher for postnatal (89%) compared to prenatal (84%) cases. Cases in which the origin could not be identified had either a small marker chromosome present at a very low level of mosaicism (< 10%), or contained very little euchromatic material. Supplemental FISH analysis confirmed the spectral karyotyping results in all 158 cases. Clinical indications for prenatal cases were mainly for marker identification after amniocentesis. For postnatal cases, the primary indications were developmental delay and multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). The most frequently encountered markers were of chromosome 15 origin for satellited chromosomes, and chromosomes 2 and 16 for non-satellited chromosomes. We were able to obtain pertinent clinical information for 47% (41/88) of cases with an identified abnormal chromosome. We conclude that spectral karyotyping is sufficiently reliable for use and provides a valuable diagnostic tool for establishing the origin of supernumerary marker chromosomes or derivative chromosomal material that cannot be identified with standard cytogenetic techniques.

Nucleation of hcp and fcc phases in bcc iron under uniform compression: classical molecular dynamics simulations

By classical molecular dynamics simulations employing an embedded atom method potential, we have simulated the bcc to hcp/fcc structural transition in single-crystal iron under uniform compression. Results showed that the transition pressure is different from uniaxial compression and shock loading. The transformation occurs on a picosecond timescale and the transition time decreases along with the increase of pressure. The nucleation and growth of the hcp and fcc phases under constant pressure and temperature are analyzed in detail. The nucleation planes, all belonging to the {110}(bcc) family and parallel to the three compression directions [100], [010], and [001], have been observed. About 20% bcc atoms have transformed to fcc phase under pressure just over the critical point, and under higher pressure the fraction of the fcc phase increases steadily to exceed that of the hcp phase. We have investigated the transition mechanism of iron from initial bcc to hcp/fcc and found that the transition mainly consists of compression, rotation, and shuffle.

Molecular dynamics simulations of hcp/fcc nucleation and growth in bcc iron driven by uniaxial compression

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the structural transition in bcc iron under uniaxial strain loading. We found that the transition pressures are less dependent on the crystal orientations, ∼14 GPa for [001], [011], and [111] loadings. However, the pressure interval of a mixed phase for [011] loading is much shorter than loading along other orientations. In addition, the temperature increased amplitude for [001] loading is evidently lower than other orientations. The nucleation and growth of the hcp/fcc phases, and their crystal orientation dependence, were analyzed in detail, where the atom structure was presented by the topological medium-range-order analysis. For [001] compression, the hcp structure occurs first and grows into a laminar morphology in the (011)(bcc) plane with some fcc atoms as an intermediate structure. For loading along [011] and [111] directions, both hcp and fcc structure nucleation and growth along the {110}(bcc) planes are observed; their morphology is also discussed.

Race Dynamics, Diversity, and Virulence Evolution in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, the Causal Agent of Wheat Stripe Rust in China from 2003 to 2007

Stripe (or yellow) rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is the most destructive foliar disease of wheat in China. The pathogen populations were analyzed for virulence evolution, complexity, phenotypic dynamics, and diversity on temporal and spatial bases. A total of 41 races were identified and characterized from 4,714 stripe rust isolates collected during 2003 through 2007 from wheat growing areas in 15 provinces in China. The races were based on avirulence/virulence patterns to 19 differential host genotypes. Chinese stripe rust population exhibited high diversity with a complex virulence structure. Comparisons using the relative Shannon's index indicated that some differences in the richness and evenness of races were present in pathogen populations within years and between regions despite a national tendency to reduced diversity over time. A noticeably increased frequency of race CYR33 (Chinese yellow rust 33) with virulence for YrSu was the major virulence change recorded in this study compared to the results on an annual basis. Isolates of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici from different regions showed differences in the composition of races, distribution frequency, and diversity. The uneven distribution of major races and comparatively greater diversity in the Northwest and Southwest regions than that in the Huang-Huai-Hai region suggest that long-distance migrations of the pathogen occur from one or more over-summering areas eastward into over-wintering areas. This supports the hypothesis that southern Gansu and northwestern Sichuan comprises a "center of origin for virulence". Mutation of virulence or avirulence for host resistance in the stripe rust fungus may be the basic cause of the occurrence of new virulent types. The subsequent dominance of certain races will vary with parasitic fitness and the opportunities to be selected through large-scale cultivation of varieties with matching resistance genes. Implications of the center of origin for virulence variation and diversity in the pathogen population and an alternative strategy for limiting virulence evolution are discussed.

Study of the antifungal activity of Acinetobacter baumannii LCH001 in vitro and identification of its antifungal components

An Acinetobacter strain, given the code name LCH001 and having the potential to be an endophytic antagonist, has been isolated from healthy stems of the plant Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, guided by an in vitro screening technique. The bacterium inhibited the growth of several phytopathogenic fungi such as Cryphonectria parasitica, Glomerella glycines, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium graminearum, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani. Biochemical, physiological, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis proved that it is Acinetobacter baumannii. When the filtrate from the fermentation broth of strain LCH001 was tested in vitro and in vivo, it showed strong growth inhibition against several phytopathogens including P. capsici, F. graminearum, and R. solani, indicating that suppression of the growth of the fungi was due to the presence of antifungal compounds in the culture broth. Moreover, the antifungal activity of the culture filtrate was significantly correlated with the cell growth of strain LCH001. The active metabolites in the filtrate were relatively thermally stable, but were sensitive to acidic conditions. Three antifungal compounds were isolated from the culture broth by absorption onto macropore resin, ethanol extraction, chromatography on silica gel or LH-20 columns, and crystallization. The structures of the bioactive compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods as isomers of iturin A, namely, iturin A2, iturin A3, and iturin A6. The characterization of an unusual endophytic bacterial strain LCH001 and its bioactive components may provide an alternative resource for the biocontrol of plant diseases.

Calreticulin expression in neuroblastoma--a novel independent prognostic factor

BACKGROUND

Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum protein, has been reported to be essential for the differentiation of neuroblastoma (NB) cells, suggesting that CRT may affect the tumor behavior of neuroblastoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of clinicopathologic factors and patient survival with the expression of CRT in patients with NB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-eight NBs were investigated by immunohistochemical staining against CRT, and were divided into positive and negative immunostaining groups. Correlations between calreticulin expression, various clinicopathologic and biologic factors, and patient survival were studied. In seven tumor samples, CRT mRNAs and proteins were evaluated with real-time PCR and western blot, respectively, and correlated with immunohistochemical findings.

RESULTS

Among 68 NBs, 32 (47.1%) showed positive CRT expression. Positive CRT immunostaining strongly correlated with differentiated histologies, as well as known favorable prognostic factors such as detected from mass screening, younger age (< or =1 year) at diagnosis and early clinical stages, but inversely correlated with MYCN amplification. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that NB patients with CRT expression did have better survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated CRT expression to be an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, CRT expression also predicted better survival in patients with advanced-stage NBs, and its absence predicted poorer survival in patients whose tumor had no MYCN amplification. The amount of CRT mRNAs and proteins in NB tumor samples tested correlated well with the immunohistochemical expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

CRT expression correlates with the differentiation of NB and predicts favorable survival, thereby suggesting CRT to be a useful indicator for planning treatment of NB.

Redundant skin over the nape in a girl with monosomy 1p36 caused by a de-novo satellited derivative chromosome: a possible new feature?

We present a case of monosomy 1p36 who, in addition to delayed growth and development, and mild facial dysmorphism also had redundant skin over the nape. Chromosome analysis showed that the monosomy 1p36 was caused by a de-novo satellited derivative chromosome. We propose that the redundant skin over the nape should be considered as a feature of this condition.

Chorionic villi sampling: laboratory experience with 4,000 consecutive cases

Experience with 4,000 consecutive CVS cases shows that 1) the combination of both the direct and culture methods greatly reduces false diagnoses and maternal cell contamination; 2) the time interval between the sampling procedure and processing of villus specimens influences the quality of direct preparations; 3) maternal cell contamination (MCC) can be minimized with dissection of CVS specimens. We have compiled a large volume of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) cases to serve as a resource in interpreting mosaic cytogenetic findings. It was noted that, in up to 92% of the mosaic cases, the abnormal cell line was confined to the placenta. The frequency of true chromosomal mosaicism was 0.2%, and is not different from that for amniocentesis.

Plasma shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones in vitro. Animal experiments and clinical application

It is sometimes very difficult to extract a huge impacted stone through the T-tube fistulous tract by conventional techniques with choledochoscope. To simplify the procedure, a lithotriptor PSW-G type using plasma shock wave to disintegrate the stone was designed. The efficacy to fragmentate stone was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Stones can be shattered into pieces less than 3 mm in diameter in about 30 times of spark with lower energy ranging from 1.7-3.4 kV and 1-3 J. Animal experiments were carried out to prove the safety of the lithotriptor. There was neither interference with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems nor obvious damage to the adjacent tissue where plasma shock wave applied to break stones. Six patients with retained calculi impacted both in extra- and intra-hepatic duct were successfully treated by plasma shock wave lithotripsy. It appears very useful in dealing with a huge impacted stone in the biliary tract.

Growth of Japanese encephalitis virus in Culex tritaeniorhynchus cell cultures

Ovarian cells from the mosquito Culex tritaeniorhynchus established in continuous tissue cultures have been found to support the growth of Japanese encephalitis virus with titers reaching as high as 10(7.36) MICLD50 per 0.03 ml. Virus-cell cultures were serially subcultured 60 times over 300 days and the virulence of the virus was determined after each passage. A gradual loss in virus titer was observed, with titers always higher in the medium than in the cells. Cytopathogenic effects were not observed in the infected cell cultures, either in primary or subsequent passages. However, the cell growth rate suggested that the cells may have been metabolically or mechanically damaged. The chromosome complement of the cells remained unchanged. Direct-fluorescent antibody studies during early and late passages revealed a loss in virus infectivity from chronically infected cells which may have been due to a gradual decrease in virus replication as the passages increased. The infectivity of virus particles, however, returned to previous levels after passage into fresh cell cultures. The loss of virus particles during serial passage may be correlated with the condition of the cells.