ObjectiveTo identify the causative genes of the posterior microphthalmia-retinal pigment degeneration family. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. One child (proband) and 3 family members of a family with posterior microphthalmia-retinitis pigmentosa diagnosed by clinical and genetic examination at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in July 2019 were included in the study. Medical history and family history, and draw pedigree of the patients was collected. Visual acuity, visual field, fundus color photography, optical coherence tomography and electroretinogram (ERG) were examined. The peripheral venous blood of the proband, his parents and sister, and extract the whole genome DNA was collected. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variations, the suspected pathogenic variations were verified by Sanger sequencing, and the pathogenicity was determined by bioinformatics analysis. ResultsThe parents discovered the proband was poor vision at the age of 10 months. At the age of 3, the best corrected visual acuity of the right eye and the left eye were 0.3 and 0.4, respectively. No abnormality was found in anterior segment. Extremely high hyperopia in both eyes. The axial length was 14.47 mm and 15.78 mm, respectively. The optic disc of both eyes was relatively small and flushed, retinal folds can be observed in macular area, and no obvious pigment deposition was found. ERG examination showed that the rod system response and the maximal combined response of both eyes decreased slightly to moderately, and the single-flash cone response and the 30 Hz flicker response decreased moderately to severely. Genetic analysis revealed two novel mutations in the membrane frizzled-related protein (MFRP) gene in the proband: c.363delC/p.Thr121Thrfs*16, c.1627C＞T/p .Gln543Stop,37 in exon 4 and 13, the former was a frameshift mutation, encoding 16 amino acids and then terminated, and the latter was an nonsense mutation, truncated 37 amino acids, both which were predicted to be pathogenic and segregate with disease. The mother and sister carried c.363delC, and the father carried c.1627C＞T. ConclusionMFRP gene c.363delC/p.Thr121Thrfs*16, c.1627C＞T/p.Gln543Stop, 37 compound heterozygous mutation may be the pathogenic gene of this family.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress in mutant gene sequences of different types of hereditary colorectal cancer.MethodThe relevant literatures about genetic mutations in hereditary colorectal cancer at home and abroad were reviewed.ResultsHereditary colorectal cancer coule be divided into two categories according to whether it was related to the germline mutations of known oncogenes. Among the known germline mutant genes, the gene of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), MUTYH, thymidine glycol DNA glycosylase 1 (NTHL1), polymerase (DNA) epsilon, catalytic subunit (POLE), and polymerase (DNA) delta 1, catalytic subunit (POLD1) were closely related to adenomatous polyposis syndromes, mismatch repair (MMR)-related genes were related to Lynch syndrome, serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK-11) gene was related to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, mutant genes of SMAD4 and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1A (BMPR1A) were found in JPS individuals, and Cowden syndrome was caused by phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene mutation. For colorectal cancer patients with unknown germline mutations but significant genetic characteristics (such as hyperplastic polyposis), relevant genes had also been gradually searched out, which needed further evidence.ConclusionsColorectal cancer is a malignant tumor with genetic characteristics. Compared with sporadic colorectal cancer, the time of hereditary colorectal cancer from adenoma to cancer is shorter, and the occurrence of heterogeneous tumor is also increased, but the survival rate after active intervention is higher than the sporadic one. To study the mutant gene sequences of hereditary colorectal cancer is the improvement and development of the diseases control in modern medicine.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features of eyes in children with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). MethodsA retrospective clinical case study. From June 2019 to June 2022, 13 children with MMA visited on the Department of Ophthalmology of Henan Children's Hospital were included in the study. The anterior segment and fundus were examined under surface or general anesthesia. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction were performed in 9 cases; fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) was performed in 3 cases; flash electroretinogram (FERG) was performed in 6 cases; flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) was detected in 6 cases; optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in 3 cases. ResultsAmong the 13 pediatric patients with methylmalonic acidemia, 6 cases were male and 7 cases were female. The average age at first visit was 45 months. All cases suffered from hyperhomocysteinemia; 9 cases were with epilepsy; 2 cases were with infantile spasms; 11 cases were with stunting, 13 cases were with repeated pulmonary infection during growth period; 4 cases were with hydrocephalus; 1 cases was with hypertension and renal insufficiency. Genetic dectection results of 8 cases were recorded, MMACHC:c.609G>A:p.W203* mutation site was found in all cases. One case was accompanied by corneal ulcer. There were 10 cases with nystagmus, 4 cases with macular degeneration, 3 cases with hyperopic refractive error and esotropia. Nine cases underwent BCVA examination, BCVA was light perception-0.6. In OCT, 2 cases of 3 cases showed retinal thinning and photoreceptor cell layer atrophy in the macular area. In FFA, 2 cases of 3 cases showed circular transparent fluorescence in the macular area. Five cases of 6 cases who with FVEP had different degrees of P100 peak time delay and decreased amplitude, and 4 cases of 6 cases with FERG had decrease of a and b wave in light and dark adaptation. ConclusionsThe clinical phenotypes of eyes in children with MMA are various and the severity was different; most of them are accompanied by nystagmus, and the fundus lesions are common in the characteristic bovine eye like macular region. Those with macular disease have severe visual impairment.
ObjectiveTo determine the pathogenic gene mutation in a family with incomplete congenital quiescent night blindness (CSNB) of Schubert-Bornschein type. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. In February 2021, one patient and his parents and elder brother from a Han Chinese incomplete CSNB of Schubert-Bornschein type family diagnosed by clinical and genetic examination at Henan Provincial People's Hospital were included in the study. The patient’s medical history, family history were inquired; best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color vision, fundus color photography, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), and frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) were examined in detail. Five ml of the subject’s peripheral venous blood was collected and the whole genome DNA was extracted. The genomic DNA of the subject was library constructed, and all-exon probes were polymerized for capture. The suspected pathogenic mutation site was verified by Sanger, and the pathogenicity of the gene mutation site was determined by parallel bioinformatics analysis. ResultsThe BCVA of both eyes of the proband (Ⅱ2) was 0.4; the color vision test could not recognize the red color. Fundus examination showed no obvious abnormalities. The retina thickness in the macular area of both eyes was slightly thinned. ERG examination of the whole field showed that the amplitude of ERG b wave was significantly reduced under the stimulation of binocular dark adaptation 3.0 and showed a negative waveform. The mother of the proband (Ⅰ2) had normal BCVA, color vision, fundus color photography, and frequency domain OCT examination. The full-field ERG examination showed that the amplitude of each eye reaction was slightly reduced, and the amplitude of the dark adaptation shock potential was significantly reduced. Genetic testing showed that the proband (Ⅱ2) had a c.1761dupC hemizygous mutation in exon 14 of the voltage-dependent calcium channel α1F subunit gene (CACNA1F gene). The results of protein sequence homology analysis showed that the site was highly conserved in multiple species; the results of bioinformatics analysis showed that the CACNA1F gene c.1761dupC (pY588fs) subsequently had a frameshift mutation and became a stop at position 10. Codons appear translational termination in the conserved regions of the protein. According to the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the mutation was judged to be a possible pathogenic variant. The mother of the proband (Ⅰ2) was a carrier of this site mutation. The clinical and genetic test results of the father and elder brother of the proband were not abnormal. ConclusionCACNA1F gene c.1761dupC is the pathogenic mutation site of the Schubert-Bornschein type incomplete CSNB family.
Mutations in optic atrophy (OPA) genes can lead to a similar phenotype, namely optic atrophy, which can manifest as isolated optic atrophy or be accompanied by other systemic symptoms, mostly related to the nervous system. Currently, a total of 13 OPA genes have been discovered, covering a variety of inheritance patterns, including chromosomal dominant inheritance, autosomal recessive inheritance, and X-linked inheritance. Through genetic testing and analysis of patients, it is possible to accurately determine whether they carry mutation genes related to optic atrophy, and predict the progression of the disease and potential complications accordingly. This not only provides valuable genetic counseling and fertility planning guidance for patients and their families, but also helps better understand the disease, discover new therapeutic targets, and lay the foundation for developing more precise and effective drugs or gene therapies in the future.
In recent years, with the improvement of the sensitivity of examination equipment and the change of people's living environment and diet, the rate of thyroid cancer has risen rapidly, which has increased nearly five folds in 10 years. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, biological behavior, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma of different pathological types are obviously different. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) can develop at any age, which accounts for about 90% of thyroid cancer. It progresses slowly and has favourable prognosis, but lymph node metastasis appears easily. Whether PTC is accompanied by lymph node metastasis has an important impact on its prognosis and outcome. The Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B(BRAF)gene mutation plays a crucial role in PTC lymph node metastasis. Having an in-depth understanding of the specific role and mechanism of BRAF gene mutation in PTC is expected to provide new ideas for diagnosis and treatment of PTC.
Objective To further strengthen the understanding of the genesis of thyroid tumors through the analysis of thyroid nodules in the clonal origin. Method The related literatures which discussed the clonality of thyroid nodules were reviewed and analyzed. Results About the clonal origin of thyroid nodules， the X chromosome inactivation detection and single gene mutation detection were the most widely chosen one at present. Most of the materials available at present related to X chromosome inactivation proposed that major part of the thyroid nodules were monoclonal and the malignant cells spreaded by means of the inner lymphatic vessel net，whereas polyclonal and monoclonal thyroid nodules coexisted occasionally. Only BRAF mutation was found of certain importance in clonal origin identification in the thyroid nodules. Conclusions Thyroid nodule is prevalent in clinical practice，while the clonality of thyroid nodules especially the thyroid tumor is not clear. And for the time being the commonly used methods to identify the clonal origin of thyroid nodule are X chromosome inactivation and single gene mutation detection. Published results confirm the finding of X chromosome inactivation methods that the majority of thyroid nodules are monoclonally originated.
Objective To analyze the relationship between the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) gene mutation and malignant pulmonary focal ground-glass lesion (fGGL). Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 86 patients with surgical treatment in the department of cardiothoracic surgery of Changzheng Hospital from August 2012 to February 2015. There were 26 males and 60 females with a mean age of 56.14±10.55 years. We analyzed the relationship between the EGFR gene mutation and the related clinical data. Results Postoperative pathology showed atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) combined with focal adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or AIS in 10 patients, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) in 15, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) in 61. The EGFR gene mutation reports showed the exon 19 19-del mutation in 14 patients, exon 21 L858R mutation in 27, and exon 21 L861Q mutation in 2. There was no difference between the mutation of EGFR gene and clinical factors except age and smoking (P>0.05). Till June 30, 2015, all patients were alive and follow-up was 440.48±186.61 days. Conclusion The EGFR gene in patients with malignant pulmonary fGGL shows a higher mutation rate, which provides important clinical reference data for the basic research and the clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathologic features of thyroid tumors with RAS gene mutation.MethodThe clinicopathologic data of thyroid tumor patients who underwent surgical treatment or biopsy and were diagnosed pathologically at the Department of Pathology of the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2021 to June 2023, were collected. ResultsA total of 798 patients with thyroid tumors who met the inclusion criteria were collected, including 747 cases of follicular epithelial tumors and 51 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Among 798 patients, the RAS gene mutations were detected in 36 cases (4.5%), including 25 (69.4%) patients with NRAS mutations, 8 (22.2%) patients with HRAS mutations, 3 (8.3%) patients with KRAS mutations, and 4 (1.1%) patients accompanied with TERT promoter mutations. Among 36 patients with RAS mutant thyroid tumors, the male to female ratio was 7∶11, with a median age of 48.5 years, with an average tumor diameter of 2 cm. The mutation rate of RAS gene in different histological types of thyroid tumors, from high to low, was highest in the thyroid follicular carcinoma (FTC, 25.9%), followed by differentiated high grade thyroid carcinoma (20.0%), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (20.0%), noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary like nuclear features (18.2%), follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC, 16.0%), and well-differentiated thyroid tumour of uncertain malignant potential (WT-UMP, 12.8%), the mutation rates of RAS gene in the FTC, FVPTC, and WT-UMP were significantly higher than that of the classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (P<0.001 1), and the mutation rate of RAS gene was the lowest in the classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (1.5%). A total of 35 patients were effectively followed up with an average follow-up period of 21.4 months, 6 of whom had cervical lymph node metastasis, 4 patients developed distant metastasis, and 1 patient with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma died. ConclusionsRAS gene mutation can occur in thyroid follicular differentiated tumors and MTC. NRAS mutation is more common. The mutation rate is the highest in FTC, is the lowest in classical papillary thyroid carcinoma. Differential diagnosis combined with tissue morphology and other molecular changes can provide a reference for guiding treatment and evaluating prognosis.
ObjectiveTo study the expressions of BRAF gene in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) >1 cm in diameter, and the invasiveness of PTMC and PTC. MethodsThe data of 275 patients with PTC received surgical treatment and with BRAF gene mutation results in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 September to 2013 September were retrospectively analyzed. According to the size of tumors, the patients were divided into three groups, was the diameter <1 cm group, 1 cm< diameter≤2 cm group, and diameter >2 cm group,respectively. The ratio of BRAF gene mutation, and the degree of risk of extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis were compared. ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that tumor size was not related with the age, gender, and BRAF gene mutation rate (P>0.05), while the tumor size was related with the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and the ratio of BRAF gene mutation was related with the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size was associated with extrathyroidal extension (P=0.009) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.000). ConclusionsBRAF gene mutation can increase the extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis risk of PTC, and it is no significantly correlated with tumor size of PTC. The invasiveness of PTC increases with the increased of tumor size, but the PTMC of BRAF gene mutation positive is still require positive treatment.