Phenome-wide association study in 25,639 pregnant Chinese women reveals loci associated with maternal comorbidities and child health.

Phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) have been less focused on maternal diseases and maternal-newborn comorbidities, especially in the Chinese population. To enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of these related diseases, we conducted a PheWAS on 25,639 pregnant women and 14,151 newborns in the Chinese Han population using ultra-low-coverage whole-genome sequence (ulcWGS). We identified 2,883 maternal trait-associated SNPs associated with 26 phenotypes, among which 99.

Development of a low-cost and accurate carrier screening method for spinal muscular atrophy in developing countries.

Heterozygous carriers of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene deletion in parents account for approximately 95% of neonatal spinal muscular atrophy cases. Given the severity of the disease, professional organizations have recommended periconceptional spinal muscular atrophy carrier screening to all couples, regardless of race or ethnicity. However, the prevalence of screening activities in mainland China remains suboptimal, mainly attributed to the limitations of the existing carrier screening methods.

Comparison of the accuracy of multiplex digital PCR versus multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in quantification of the survival of motor neuron genes copy numbers.

For over two decades, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) has served as the gold standard for genetic testing of spinal muscular atrophy. However, there is emerging evidence questioning the reliability of MLPA in determining the copy numbers (CNs) of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) gene in certain cases. Recently, digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) has shown potential for better performance in copy number variant detection.

Evaluation of strategies for identification of infants with pathogenic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants in China.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, which is caused by pathogenic variants of that result in decreased G6PD activity, is an X-linked inherited inborn error of metabolism that occurs worldwide. Individuals with G6PD deficiency and heterozygous females with normal G6PD activity (i.e.

Genome-wide identification and genetic characterization of the CaMYB family and its response to five types of heavy metal stress in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. CM334).

MYB proteins play a crucial role in plant growth and development and stress responses. In this study, 160 members of the MYB gene family from the pepper genome database were used to analyze gene structures, chromosome localization, collinearity, genetic affinity and expression in response to heavy metals. The results identified R2R3-MYB members and further phylogenetically classified them into 35 subgroups based on highly conserved gene structures and motifs.

Newborn Screening for G6PD Deficiency in Xiamen, China: Prevalence, Variant Spectrum, and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common inherited enzymatic defect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the profile of G6PD deficiency and investigate the factors associated with the accuracy of newborn screening (NBS) in Xiamen, China. A total of 99,546 newborns were screened by modified fluorescent spot test at the Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University.

A de novo frameshift variant of ANKRD11 (c.1366_1367dup) in a Chinese patient with KBG syndrome.

Background: KBG syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disease mainly caused by pathogenic variants of ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 11 (ANKRD11) or deletions involving ANKRD11. Herein, we report a novel de novo heterozygous frameshift ANKRD11 variant via whole exome sequencing in a Chinese girl with KBG syndrome.

Case Presentation: A 2-year-2-month-old girl presented with a short stature and developmental delay.

Clinical Utility of a High-Resolution Melting Test for Screening Numerical Chromosomal Abnormalities in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) occurs in approximately 5% of clinically identified pregnancies. Determining the cause of RPL is essential. Genetic testing, accompanied by an evidence-based workup, is the well-accepted process for evaluating RPL; however, current genetic tests have limitations in clinical practice.

Screening and mutation analysis of hyperphenylalaninemia in newborns from Xiamen, China.

In this study, we evaluated the incidence and genetic characteristics of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in Xiamen, China. We analyzed the newborn screening data of HPA, obtained using a fluorometric method and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), from 2013 to 2017. The suspected positive samples were further diagnosed using MassArray technology, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and Sanger sequencing.

Carrier screening for spinal muscular atrophy with a simple test based on melting analysis.

Carrier screening of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can provide reproductive options for carriers and prevent the birth defects. Here, we developed a simple screening test based on melting analysis. The test comprises a duplex PCR with two primer pairs and three probes to simultaneous amplify SMN1, SMN2, and CFTR.

Clinical phenotype, in silico and biomedical analyses, and intervention for an East Asian population-specific c.370G>A (p.G124S) COQ4 mutation in a Chinese family with CoQ10 deficiency-associated Leigh syndrome.

COQ4 mutations have recently been shown to cause a broad spectrum of mitochondrial disorders in association with CoQ10 deficiency. Herein, we report the clinical phenotype, in silico and biochemical analyses, and intervention for a novel c.370 G > A (p.

Rapid screening for Klinefelter syndrome with a simple high-resolution melting assay: a multicenter study.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the set of symptoms that result from the presence of an extra X chromosome in males. Postnatal population-based KS screening will enable timely diagnosis of this common chromosomal disease, providing the opportunity for early intervention and therapy at the time point when they are most effective and may prevent later symptoms or complications. Therefore, through this study, we introduced a simple high-resolution melting (HRM) assay for KS screening and evaluated its clinical sensitivity and specificity in three medical centers using 1373 clinical blood samples.

Evaluation of a Magnetic Cellulose-Based DNA Extraction System to Improve the Performance of HybriBio Human Papillomavirus Genotyping and Screening Tests for Cervical Swab Samples.

Background: To ensure the accuracy of clinical human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, the nucleic acid extraction procedure should be thoroughly evaluated for each clinical sample type. Therefore, we evaluated whether the MagCore® Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction system (MagCore system) could improve HybriBio HPV test performance for cervical swab samples.

Methods: We compared the performance of HybriBio HPV genotyping and screening tests using samples prepared with the MagCore system and Cell Lysis Kit, which was provided by the HPV test manufacturer.

Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies a c.C2566T Mutation in the Androgen Receptor in a Chinese Family.

Background: Whole exome sequencing (WES) is one of the most valuable tools for the detection of Mendelian diseases in clinical laboratory. We performed WES for a family of 46,XY disorders of gender development and compared the applicability of public databases for the subsequent phenotype studies of WES-identified mutations.

Methods: DNA samples from the two patients were analyzed by WES.

Rapid detection of G6PD mutations by multicolor melting curve analysis.

The MeltPro G6PD assay is the first commercial genetic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. This multicolor melting curve analysis-based real-time PCR assay is designed to genotype 16 G6PD mutations prevalent in the Chinese population. We comprehensively evaluated both the analytical and clinical performances of this assay.

Combination of fluorescence color and melting temperature as a two-dimensional label for homogeneous multiplex PCR detection.

Multiplex analytical systems that allow detection of multiple nucleic acid targets in one assay can provide rapid characterization of a sample while still saving cost and resources. However, few systems have proven to offer a solution for mid-plex (e.g.