Radiographic and genetic diagnosis of sporadic hypochondroplasia early in the neonatal period

Hypochondroplasia is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia expressing postnatal onset of short stature with mild rhizomelic shortening of the limbs. This manifestation leads to restricted prenatal diagnosis of the disorder. We report here on a sporadic case of a hypochondroplastic baby, whose prenatal sonographic measurements were serially recorded from 19 weeks of gestation. Mild shortening of the limbs became manifest after 26 weeks of gestation. Biparietal diameter was within the normal range throughout gestation. Both parents were of average stature. A tentative diagnosis of a nonlethal short-limb skeletal dysplasia was made. At birth, the clinical manifestations of the neonate were not characteristic, but the radiographic features raised the possibility of hypochondroplasia. Molecular analyses revealed a C to G mutation at nucleotide 1659 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene, a common mutation in hypochondroplasia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metaphyseal chondrodysplasia McKusick type in a Chinese fetus,caused by novel compound heterozygosity 64T> A and 79G >T in RMRPgene

We present the first confirmed case by molecular analysis of a metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, McKusick type, in a 22-week fetus. Two novel compound heterozygous mutations, 64T> A and 79G > T, were found in the highly conserved regions of the RMRP gene. Twenty-two heterozygous g.1018 T> C mutations, two homozygous g.1018 T> C mutations, two heterozygous insertion mutations g.799_g.800insC and one heterozygous insertion mutation g.849_g.850insT were found among 100 normal controls. Careful radiological examination of the fetus for skeletal dysplasia allowed definitive diagnosis, proper genetic counselling and future prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transgenics and Vertebrate Cloning as Tools for Species Conservation

Abstract:  It has been suggested that transgenics and vertebrate cloning have a role to play in conservation. Now is the time to evaluate their risks and benefits, before these technologies are widely implemented in our field. Direct risks of transgenics include escape and introgression of transgenes into wild populations; weedy invasion by transgenic organisms; toxicity or pathogenicity of engineered organisms and their products; and human error in the field testing and tracking of transgenic organisms. Indirect risks include environmental effects of increased herbicide use; the danger that engineered organisms may aid the development of bioweapons; the likelihood that gene patenting will lead to the privatization of natural resources; and the diversion of support from less glamorous forms of conservation. Formal risk assessments are commonly used to evaluate transgenic procedures, but our incomplete understanding of both ecosystem processes and the action of transgenes renders most of these assessments scientifically and socially unjustified. Nevertheless, a few, low-risk applications of transgenics may be possible: for example, "super-sterile" ornamental cultivars. Vertebrate cloning poses little risk to the environment, but it can consume scarce conservation resources, and its chances of success in preserving species seem poor. To date, the conservation benefits of transgenics and vertebrate cloning remain entirely theoretical, but many of the risks are known and documented. Conservation biologists should devote their research and energies to the established methods of conservation, none of which require transgenics or vertebrate cloning.     

人类无精症相关新基因ZNF313启动子的初步分析

采用PCR方法扩增了ZNF313基因的启动子序列,构建了含人ZNF313基因启动子不同片断的荧光素酶报告基因表达体系.以pRLTK为内参照质粒,瞬时转染HEK293T细胞,48h后收集细胞,测定荧光素酶的相对表达活性.结果发现,在ZNF313基因的启动子区域构建了4种荧光素酶报告基因表达体系,即pGL3215(-215bp～ 38bp)、pGL3160(-160bp～ 38bp)、pGL3133(-133bp～ 128bp)和pGL38(-8bp～ 128bp).其中pGL3215表达载体的荧光素酶相对表达活性最高;pGL3160和pGL3133表达载体的荧光素酶相对表达活性几乎相同,且是pGL3215的75%;而pGL38的荧光素酶相对表达活性急剧下降,接近于零.这表明,-133bp～-8bp区域内含有人ZNF313基因转录所必需的启动子序列.生物信息学的分析表明,两个SP1、一个AP2和一个TAg是人ZNF313基因启动子所必需的.图4参19     

Low or absent unconjugated estriol in pregnancy: an indicator for steroid sulfatase deficiency detectable by fluorescence in situ hybridization and biochemical analysis

It has been previously reported that a low or absent maternal serum unconjugated estriol (uE3) level is associated with placental steroid sulfatase (STS) deficiency. Here we report a correlation between patients who present with a very low or absent maternal serum uE3 and a deletion of the STS gene as assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We studied nine prenatal cases that presented to the clinical laboratory with an abnormal triple screen, specifically low or absent maternal serum uE3 and a 46,XY karyotype. FISH analysis showed complete deletion of a probe containing the STS gene in six cases and one case had a partial deletion (reduced but not absent signal). The remaining two cases were not deleted for the STS probe. All mothers tested whose fetus showed a deletion were shown to be STS deletion carriers using FISH. Biochemical analysis was performed on 7/9 prenatal specimens. All fetuses deleted for the STS probe were also found to be deficient for STS by biochemical analysis of cultured amniotic fluid (5/5). Of the two fetuses not deleted for the STS probe, one was deficient for STS activity, while the other had a normal result. The abnormal result of enzyme deficiency by biochemical analysis in a non-deletion case likely represents a mutation in the STS gene, not detectable by this FISH assay. Postnatal FISH confirmation of the STS deletion was performed in 1/7 cases. Clinical follow-up was available for 4/9 cases following birth. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

盐度对细菌菌株降解苯酚的影响

从处理苯酚废水活性污泥中筛选分离到四株苯酚降解优势细菌菌株JHCFS1,JHCFS2,JHCFS3与JHCFS4,通过四株细菌在不同盐度条件下的苯酚降解率表明,随着盐浓度的逐渐升高,抑制作用逐渐增大,当NaCl,KCl浓度为4%时,四株细菌降解苯酚均受到显著抑制。苯酚浓度为1000mg/L,NaCl浓度为3%时,JHCFS2的降解率最高为83%,JHCFS4的降解率最低为47.20%;KCl浓度为3%时,JHCFS2的降解率最高为99%,JHCFS4的降解率最低为48%,表明四株菌在盐浓度(NaCl,KCl)低于3%的条件下可正常降解苯酚。通过对四株菌的16S rRNA基因克隆与序列分析,在NCBI进行BLAST获得同源性序列,利用Clustalx1.8软件和MEGA4.0软件进行同源性比较和系统发育学分析,结合生理生化特性将菌株JHCFS1,JHCFS2,JHCFS3与JHCFS4(GenBank收录号:FJ455076,FJ455077,FJ458437与FJ458438)分别归为Bacillus simplex,Bacillus cereus,Bacillus pumilus与Bacillus cibi,为降解苯酚提供了微生物物种资源。     

Estrogenic activities of two synthetic pyrethroids and their metabolites

Synthetic pyrethroids(SPs) are among the most common pesticides in current use,and so far,several SPs have been assessed for their potential estrogenicities by various methods.Previous studies have shown that the estrogenicities partly come from their metabolites.Although considerable information is available with respect to the metabolism and environmental degradation of SPs,little is known about the estrogenicities of the metabolites.In this study,permethrin(PM) and β-cypermethrin(CP),as well as their metabolites(3-phenoxybenzoic alcohol(PBCOH),3-phenoxybenzaldehyde(PBCHO) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid(PBCOOH) were evaluated for their estrogenic activities in the MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line.In the MCF-7 cell proliferation assay,PM and CP exhibited significant estrogenic activities at 10-7 mol/L,comparable to 17β-estradiol(E2 ) of 10-9 mol/L,with the relative proliferative effect ratios of 55.4% and 56.3%,respectively.The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) results confirmed the estrogenicities of PM and CP with significant alteration of pS2 and ERα mRNA levels observed at 10-6 mol/L.For the three major metabolites,PBCOH and PBCOOH exhibited estrogenic activities in all assays,while no significant estrogenic responses was observed for PBCHO compared to the vehicle control.In particular,PBCOH had even slightly stronger estrogenic activity than its parent compounds,indicating that metabolism may be one of the reasons for the estrogenicities of the SPs.Given the widespread use of SPs,the toxicological effects of parent compounds and their metabolites should be taken into consideration in the risk assessment of SPs.