Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of a case of Pfeiffer syndrome without cloverleaf skull and review of the literature

Pfeiffer syndrome is characterized by bilateral coronal craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia, beaked nasal tip, broad and medially deviated thumbs and great toes. Originally, it was described in eight persons from three generations in a pedigree consistent with an autosomal dominant transmission. Since then, several reports have documented its high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The condition is usually detected in the newborn period or later, and very few prenatal ultrasound diagnoses have been reported. We present a case of Pfeiffer syndrome prenatally diagnosed at 20 weeks' gestation, in which the sonographic features of craniosynostosis, hypertelorism associated with an extreme proptosis, and broad thumb led to the diagnosis, confirmed after termination of pregnancy by dysmorphological, pathological and radiological evaluation. DNA analysis of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) showed a missense mutation consisting in a transversion G → C at nucleotide 870. This led to a Trp290Cys amino acidic substitution. We discuss the relevant findings of our and previously published cases. Our report demonstrates that a careful sonographic examination can lead to an early prenatal diagnosis of Pfeiffer syndrome also in cases without cloverleaf skull. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular diagnosis of a novel heterozygous 268C→T (R90C) mutation in TGIF gene in a fetus with holoprosencephaly and premaxillary agenesis

We report the sonographic diagnosis and molecular analysis of holoprosencephaly (HPE) and premaxillary agenesis in a second-trimester fetus with a 46,XY karyotype. Mutational sequence analyses for the entire coding region and exon–intron boundaries of SHH, ZIC2, SIX3 and TGIF genes identified a novel heterozygous missense TGIF mutation 268C→T (CGC→TGC change) that predicts an Arg90Cys substitution in the homeodomain region of TGIF. The proband's parents did not carry the mutation. The present case is an example of the heterogeneous entity of the HPE spectrum and demonstrates that adjunctive molecular analyses of distinct human genes for HPE can reassure genetic counselling by elucidating the genetic pathogenesis, especially in cytogenetically normal fetuses affected with HPE. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of a novel β0 - thalassaemia mutation in a greek family and subsequent prenatal diagnosis

We present a case in which a Greek couple was considered not to be at risk of having children with homozygous β-thalassaemia, an assessment based largely on the father's belief that he carried α-thalassaemia. After their first child was diagnosed with homozygous β-thalassaemia, the case was re-assessed and both parents were shown to have the haematological profile of β-thalassaemia trait. Screening for the common Mediterranean mutations demonstrated that the mother carries the IVS-1 nt 110 G→A β⁺ -thalassaemia mutation. Direct nucleotide sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA revealed that the father carries a novel β⁰-thalassaemia mutation, frameshift codons 9/10 (+T). The couple's second pregnancy was terminated after prenatal testing revealed that the fetus had inherited both parental mutations. This case illustrates the need to confirm the carrier status of individuals prior to assessing their genetic risks, and highlights the importance of being able to identify rare or novel β-thalassaemia mutations.     

Prenatal detection of an Arg→Ter mutation at codon 111 of the pah gene using DNA amplification

A CGA→TGA mutation at codon 111 in exon 3 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene was recently identified in a Chinese phenylketonuria (PKU) patient. This paper reports the prenatal diagnosis of a Chinese fetus at risk for PKU using DNA amplification with PCR and oligonucleotide hybridization. RFLP analysis revealed that the fetus had inherited a PKU gene from his mother, but his paternal PAH gene was uninformative. PCR amplification of 300 bp which included exon 3 plus the flanking intronic sequences of the PAH gene was performed. The amplified DNA was hybridized with a pair of allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. The results indicated that the fetal DNA carried a PAH 111 Arg→Ter mutant gene inherited from his father. Thus, the fetus was predicted to be affected with PKU.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type II by DNA analysis and sonography

Osteogenesis imperfecta type II was diagnosed prenatally by analysis of DNA obtained from chorionic villus sampling (CVS) performed at 12 weeks of gestation in a woman who previously had had an affected child. The father had been shown to be mosaic for a mutation in the gene (COL1A2) which encodes the α2(I) chain of type I collagen. An affected fetus was predicted by detection of the mutation in amplified chorionic villus genomic DNA. Ultrasound examination at 13 weeks 4 days demonstrated femoral deformity and virtual absence of calvarial mineralization. In pregnancies at risk for osteogenesis imperfecta type II, sonographic evidence of skeletal abnormalities may be evident by 13 weeks' gestation.     

Mutation analysis for prenatal diagnosis and heterozygote detection of Gaucher disease type III (norrbottnian type)

A single base substitution in exon 10 of the glucocerebrosidase gene was detected in families affected by Gaucher disease (GD) type III. This mutation, which results in the substitution of proline for leucine in position 444 of glucocerebrosidase, has been shown to result in type III GD in a Swedish population. Three fetuses at risk for GD type III were diagnosed as homozygous for the mutation and the pregnancies were terminated. In a fourth pregnancy, one parent was excluded as being a carrier and the risk of having a child affected by GD was ignored. Direct analysis of common mutations causal to GD is now available and improves prenatal diagnosis in families where the molecular defect has been characterized.     

A fetus with a chromosome 13 ring and placenta with chromosome 13 rod/ring mosaicism

A fetus was identified by prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis as having a karyotype 46,XY,r(13) (p11q13). Termination of the pregnancy yielded a severely malformed fetus. Fetal abnormalities included anencephaly, imperforate anus and urethral meatus, severe talipes, syndactyly, cardiac defects and other anomalies. Confirmatory studies on cultured placental villi cells indicated a second cell line, 46,XY, −13,+ 13qter→cen::13ql3→qter. This cell line was not detectable in cells derived from the fetus despite extensive studies. It seems likely that the two cell lines arose simultaneously with selection favouring the 46,XY,r(13) line. How the chromosome rearrangements may have arisen is discussed. We are unaware of other cases where a cell line identifiable by a chromosome abnormality appeared to be confined to placental tissue. However, studies on placental tissue may be helpful in understanding the origin of other unbalanced de novo rearrangements.     

Prenatal detection of free sialic acid storage disease: genetic and biochemical studies in nine families

Sialic acid storage disorders, Salla disease (SD) and a severe infantile form of disease (ISSD), are recessively inherited allelic lysosomal storage disorders due to impaired egress of free sialic acid from lysosomes. Fourteen pregnancies at risk of adult-type free sialic acid storage disease, SD, were monitored by sialic acid assays, genetic linkage or mutation detection analyses using chorionic villus samples. Three affected and 12 unaffected fetuses were identified. The first studies were based on the sialic acid assays alone, but the location of the gene enabled the use of genetic linkage analysis and, more recently, the identification of the SLC17A5 gene and disease-causing mutations added yet another possibility for prenatal studies. A missense mutation 115C→T (R39C) is present in 95% of all Finnish SD alleles, providing an easy and reliable means of diagnostic studies. Both molecular and biochemical (sialic acid assay) studies can be used for prenatal diagnosis of free sialic acid storage diseases. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Germline mosaicism complicates molecular diagnosis of Lesch–Nyhan syndrome

A healthy female with a brother suffering from Lesch–Nyhan syndrome was assigned a carrier status on the basis of haplotype analysis employing flanking and intragenic polymorphic markers of the HPRT gene. Her mother has been confirmed as a definite carrier by cell growth selection studies in cultured fibroblasts. In our proposita's first pregnancy, a male fetus was identified carrying the risk allele. Afterwards, the underlying novel mutation A161E (GCA→GAA at position c482) could be identified in the affected brother and in the heterozygous mother but not in the DNA of the pregnant sister and fetus. The fetus was also confirmed to be normal by uptake of 14C-hypoxanthine in cultured amniotic cells. To test the discrepancy, the investigation was extended by recruiting additional family members. The data obtained showed that the mother had passed her risk haplotype to the affected son as well as to her mutation-carrying and non–mutation-carrying daughters. This provides the first evidence of concomitant somatic and germline mosaicism in Lesch–Nyhan syndrome. The study has a bearing on genetic counselling and cautions against the reliability of only using indirect genetic diagnosis even with intragenic markers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intrafamilial variability in Fraser syndrome

Fraser syndrome (OMIM 219000) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cryptophthalmos, cutanaeous syndactyly, malformations of the larynx and genitourinary tract, craniofacial dysmorphism, orofacial clefting, mental retardation and musculoskeletal anomalies. There is marked interfamilial clinical heterogeneity. However, there is strong phenotypic similarity and concordance of the degree of severity of the disease within a family. We report a family with two cases of Fraser syndrome with marked clinical heterogeneity. One case had lethal phenotype with bilateral renal agenesis, while the other had mild phenotype with normal kidneys. It has not been reported before and highlights the importance of careful screening of pregnancies in families with Fraser syndrome. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Fe（Ⅲ） on the bromate reduction by humic substances in aqueous solution

Humic substances are ubiquitous redox-active organic compounds of environment. In this study, experiments were conducted to determine the reduction capacity of humic acid in the man-ix of bromate and Fe（Ⅲ） solutions and the role of Fe（Ⅲ） in this redox process. The results showed that the humic acid regenerated Fe（Ⅱ） and reduced bromate abiotically. The addition of Fe（Ⅲ） could accelerate the bromate reduction rate by forming humic acid-Fe（Ⅲ） complexes. Iron species acts as electron mediator and catalyst for the bromate reduction by humic acid, in which humic acid transfers electrons to the complexed Fe（Ⅲ） to form Fe（Ⅱ）, and the regenerated Fe（Ⅱ） donate the electrons to bromate. The kinetics study on bromate reduction further indicated that bromate reduction by humic acid-Fe（Ⅲ） complexes is pH dependent. The rate decreased by 2-fold with the increase in solution pH by one unit. The reduction capacity of Aldrich humic acid was observed to be lower than that of humic acid or natural organic matter of Suwanne River, indicating that such redox process is expected to occur in the environment.     

牛粪发酵沼液DOM与Fe (III)离子络合机制研究

采用荧光光谱、红外光谱、平行因子（PARAFAC）分析及二维相关光谱（2D-COS）分析来解释Fe （III）与牛粪发酵DOM的络合异质性及机制.结果表明,PAFAFAC能够识别6个荧光组分,包括类蛋白（C2）、类富里酸（C1）、类腐殖酸（C4、C5）、类蛋白与类富里酸和类腐殖酸结合的荧光组分（C3、C6）.2D-SYS-COS分析仅能识别类蛋白和类富里酸荧光物质,DOM中类蛋白荧光为主要的荧光组分.2D-COS分析表明,在334nm处的类富里酸荧光组分优先与Fe （III）离子发生络合作用,络合次序为334nm→306nm.DOM中能够优先与Fe （III）发生络合作用的为仲铵盐-NH₂基团,各官能团组分与Fe （III）发生络合作用次序为2265→2771→1528→1310→1805→1479cm^-1.双对数模型计算结果表明牛粪发酵沼液DOM能够与Fe （III）形成高化学稳定性的络合物,其络合常数在4.34~7.03之间,研究结果能够为沼液施用土壤金属离子的形态分布和迁移转化提供理论指导.     

Bacterial reduction and release of adsorbed arsenate on Fe(Ⅲ)-, Al- and coprecipitated Fe(Ⅲ)/Al-hydroxides

Mobilization of arsenic under anaerobic conditions is of great concern in arsenic contaminated soils and sediments. Bacterial reduction of As(V) and Fe(Ⅲ) influences the cycling and partitioning of arsenic between solid and aqueous phase. We investigated the impact of bacterially mediated reductions of Fe(Ⅲ)/Al hydroxides-bound arsenic(V) and iron(Ⅲ) oxides on arsenic release. Our results suggested that As(V) reduction occurred prior to Fe(Ⅲ) reduction, and Fe(Ⅲ) reduction did not enhance the release of arsenic. Instead, Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides retained their dissolved concentrations during the experimental process, even though the new iron mineral-magnetite formed. In contrast, the release of reduced As(Ⅲ) was promoted greatly when aluminum hydroxides was incorporated. Thus, the substitution of aluminum hydroxides may be responsible for the release of arsenic in the contaminated soils and sediments, since aluminum substitution of Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides universally occurs under natural conditions.     

Case report: birth after preimplantation genetic diagnosis of a subtle mutation in SMN1 gene

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been available since 1998. Protocols are based on the detection of the homozygous deletion of exon 7, which are present in 90–98% of SMA patients. A couple where the woman was a heterozygous carrier of the usual SMN1 Del7 mutation and the man was a heterozygous carrier of pMet263Arg substitution in exon 6 of SMN1 gene was referred for PGD. The usual PGD test being unsuitable for this couple, we developed a novel duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based PGD test for the detection of the mutation pMet263Arg by allele specific amplification, combined with the amplification of D5S641 extragenic polymorphic marker. PCR conditions were established using single control lymphoblasts and lymphocytes from the pMet263Arg substitution carrier. Amplification was obtained in 100% of the 86 single cells tested, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR was specific in 100% of single cells tested and a complete genotype (mutation plus D5S641) was achieved in 88% of them. A PGD cycle was performed successfully and a pregnancy was obtained. An unaffected girl was born and postnatal diagnosis confirmed PGD results. This is the first PGD described for SMA because of another mutation than the major homozygous exon 7 deletion of SMN1. In the future, a similar strategy could be adopted for other subtle mutations of this gene. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Infantile hypophosphatasia: Successful prenatal assessment by testing for tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme gene mutations

We successfully assessed a fetus at risk for lethal infantile hypophosphatasia using amniocyte DNA and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes for two missense mutations in the tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (TNSALP) gene. The nucleotide changes had been discovered in a sister who died at 8 months of age from this inborn error of metabolism. The mother was known to carry the 747 (cDNA) G→A transition, whereas her husband and 5-year-old daughter, who were also healthy, carried the 1309 A→T transversion. Amniocytes, obtained at 16 weeks' gestation, provided genomic DNA for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the appropriate TNSALP gene exons. ASO hybridization revealed absence of the 747A mutation and presence of the 1309T base change in the fetus, indicating a carrier for hypophosphatasia. At 8 months of age, the offspring was in excellent health and without any radiological evidence of skeletal disease. His serum ALP activity and plasma pyridoxal 5′-phosphate level were decreased and increased, respectively, at levels consistent with the prenatal assessment. The ASO studies were confirmed postnatally using peripheral blood leukocyte DNA. This is the first application of direct mutational analysis to assess a fetus at risk for hypophosphatasia.     

Prenatal diagnosis of holoprosencephaly in two fetuses with der (7)t(1;7)(q32;q32)pat inherited from the father with double translocations

The presence of two independent translocations in one person is rare. Herein, we report the prenatal diagnosis of two sibling fetuses with holoprosencephaly, whose father is a carrier of double translocations. The karyotype of the father is 46,XY, t(1;7) (q32;q32), t(14,15) (q32.1;q26.3). The two fetuses had variable facial dysmorphisms and identical cytogenetic abnormality—a derivative (7) t(1;7) (q32;q32) inherited from the father. The proband 1 showed a small mouth, a single median eye and a proboscis above the eye, while the proband 2 showed hypotelorism, a flat nose, cleft lip and cleft palate. Both fetuses also had alobar holoprosencephaly. Haploinsufficiency of the sonic hedgehog gene at 7q36 does account for the occurrence of holoprosencephaly in the two fetuses with a deletion of distal 7q (7q32 → qter). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photo-induced transformations of Hg(Ⅱ) species in the presence of Nitzschia hantzschiana,ferric ion,and humic acid

Effects of algae Nitzschia hantzschiana, Fe(Ⅲ) ions, humic acid, and pH on the photochemical reduction of Hg(Ⅱ) using the irradiation of metal halide lamps (λ 365 nm, 250 W) were investigated. The photoreduction rate of Hg(Ⅱ) was found to increase with increasing concentrations of algae, Fe(Ⅲ) ions, and humic acid. Alteration of pH value affected the photoreduction of Hg(Ⅱ) in aqueous solution with or without algae. The photoreduction rate of Hg(II) decreased with increasing initial Hg(Ⅱ) concentration in aqueous solution in the presence of algae. The photochemical kinetics of initial Hg(Ⅱ) and algae concentrations on the photoreduction of Hg(Ⅱ) were studied at pH 7.0. The study on the total Hg mass balance in terms of photochemical process revealed that more than 42% of Hg(Ⅱ) from the algal suspension was reduced to volatile metallic Hg under the conditions investigated.     

蚀变岩型金矿床地球化学新模型

以山东招远河东金矿为例，系统采集地表＋54m至－80m七个不同标高中段的地球化学样品，详细研究了包括碱性元素在内的20余种常、微量元素在蚀变岩中的分布特征，重新建立了典型蚀变岩型金矿床找矿评价的元素组合模式、物化探异常模式和地球化学分带模型，指出了深部找矿方向和探采工作应注意的问题。     

不同生态混凝土坡岸中溶解性有机质与镉的相互作用机理研究

为研究生态混凝土坡岸中DOM(dissolved organic matter,溶解性有机质)与重金属离子的相互作用,通过FQT(fluorescence quenching titration,荧光淬灭滴定)试验配合3D-EEMs(three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy,三维荧光光谱)、PARAFAC(parallel factor,平行因子分析)和2D-COS(two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy,二维相关光谱)探究了AEC(applied eco-concrete,应用型生态混凝土)和IEC(improved eco-concrete,改良型生态混凝土)坡岸中DOM与Cd2+的相互作用机理.结果表明:①3D-EEMs结果显示,AEC_ow(AEC坡岸出水)类蛋白组分荧光强度降低,水体腐殖化程度升高,而IEC_ow(IEC坡岸出水) DOM各组分荧光强度均降低;Cd2+能与DOM中所有组分发生络合,且随c(Cd2+)增加,各组分的荧光强度最终趋于稳定.②PARAFAC将所有样品中DOM分离出类蛋白、类富里酸和类腐殖质3个独立组分,其中类富里酸组分随c(Cd2+)增加表现稳定的荧光淬灭效果.③通过Ryan and Weber模型计算Cd2+与DOM中各组分的络合常数(lg K)发现,所有样品中Cd2+与DOM中类富里酸组分的lg K值均大于类蛋白组分.进一步发现,不同坡岸出水lg K值大小依次为RW(原水) > AEC_ow > IEC_ow;④2D-COS分析得出,DOM中类蛋白组分对Cd2+的敏感度最大.RW中Cd2+与DOM位点的络合顺序为340 nm→273 nm→282 nm,AEC_ow中络合顺序为410 nm→330 nm.研究显示:Cd2+率先与DOM中类富里酸、腐殖质类物质络合,且络合能力强,类蛋白物质最容易受Cd2+的干扰;AEC_ow增加了下游水生态系统中Cd2+的迁移风险和生物有效性,相反IEC_ow则降低了Cd2+的迁移风险,两种坡岸均能降低DOM组分与Cd2+的络合能力,其中IEC坡岸最优.