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Background Both Pierson syndrome (PS) and isolated nephrotic syndrome can be caused by LAMB2 biallelic pathogenic variants. Only 15 causative splicing variants in the LAMB2 gene have been reported. However, the pathogenicity of most of these variants has not been verified, which may lead to incorrect interpretation of the functional consequence of these variants. Methods Using high‐throughput DNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we detected variants in a female with clinically suspected PS. A minigene splicing assay was performed to assess the effect of LAMB2 intron 20 c.2885‐9C>A on RNA splicing. We also performed the immunohistochemical analysis of laminin beta‐2 in kidney tissues. Results Two novel LAMB2 heteroallelic variants were found: a paternally inherited variant c.2885‐9C>A in intron 20 and a maternally inherited variant c. 3658C>T (p. (Gln1220Ter)). In vitro minigene assay showed that the variant c.2885‐9C>A caused erroneous integration of a 7 bp sequence into intron 20. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the absence of glomerular expression of laminin beta‐2, the protein encoded by LAMB2. Conclusion We demonstrated the impact of a novel LAMB2 intronic variant on RNA splicing using the minigene assay firstly. Our results extend the mutational spectrum of LAMB2., We demonstrated the impact of a novel LAMB2 intronic variant on RNA splicing using the minigene assay firstly. Our results extend the mutational spectrum of LAMB2.

Aim The TTC21B gene is now known as causative of nephronophthisis-related ciliopathies (NPHP-RC). We reported two Chinese pediatric cases with end-stage renal disease and other phenotypes caused by the TTC21B gene mutations. Methods The clinical features of Chinese pediatric cases with NPHP-RC were summarized. Mutation analysis of the TTC21B gene was performed using next-generation sequencing. Results The two cases both had nephrotic proteinuria, renal failure, hypertension and abnormal liver function (or hepatic fibrosis). One case also presented situs inversus and short phalanges. They developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at 1 year old and 8 years old, respectively, when renal pathology both showed focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) with tubulointerstitial lesions including interstitial fibrosis and atrophic tubules. Three novel disease-causing TTC21B mutations were identified. One case carried homozygous mutation c.2211 + 3A > G, while the other case carried compound heterozygous mutations c.1552 T > C (p.C518R) and c.1456dupA (p.R486KfsX22). Conclusion Mutations in TTC21B cause a range of ciliopathy phenotypes in humans. We identified 3 novel TTC21B mutations in two Chinese pediatric cases that both presented end-stage renal disease and other different features. This is the first TTC21B mutations ever reported in China.

Background The aim of this study was to analyze the diverse phenotypes of children with PAX2‐related disorder so as to improve our understanding of this disease. Methods The clinical data of ten children with PAX2 mutations, detected by targeted region capture sequencing or whole‐exome sequencing, were retrospectively analyzed. Family members of index cases were verified by Sanger sequencing and family segregation analysis was performed. Results The age of first symptom of 10 unrelated children (six girls and four boys) was 6.4 (ranged from postnatal day to 14.8) years old. Proteinuria, abnormal renal function, and structure were found in all patients. Renal hypoplasia and renal cysts were found in 10 of 10 and five of 10 cases, respectively. Three patients progressed to chronic kidney disease stage 5 and the onset age of end‐stage renal disease was 9.8–16.4 years old. PAX2‐related ocular abnormalities were found in five of seven cases and three patients were observed to have more than one ocular findings involved. In addition to diverse renal and ocular findings, new phenotypes including congenital ventricular septal defect, skeletal deformity (fourth metatarsal microsomia), ovarian teratoma, and relatively rare extrarenal manifestations such as growth retardation, gout, and microcephaly were also found. Three novel mutations were reported for the first time. De novo mutations occurred in all patients who were carried out segregation analysis. Patients with the same mutation had different manifestations. PAX2‐related disorder showed remarkable clinical variability and phenotypic heterogeneity. Conclusion We firstly reported skeletal deformity (fourth metatarsal microsomia), ovarian teratoma, and congenital ventricular septal defect as new phenotypes of PAX2‐related disorder which enlarged the phenotypic spectrum. Gout was firstly reported as the onset symptom of PAX2‐related disorder. The diagnosis of PAX2‐related disorder should be considered without family history due to a much higher percentage of De novo mutations.

A core cross-linked polymeric micellar cisplatin(IV) conjugate prodrug is prepared by attaching the cisplatin(IV) to mPEG-b-PLL biodegradable copolymers to form micellar nanoparticles that can disintegrate to release the active anticancer agent cisplatin(II) in a mild reducing environment. Moreover, in vitro studies show that this cisplatin(IV) conjugate prodrug displays enhanced cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cells compared with cisplatin(II). Further studies demonstrate that the high cellular uptake and platinum-DNA adduct of this cisplatin(IV) conjugate prodrug can induce more cancer-cell apoptosis than cisplatin(II), which is responsible for its enhanced anticancer activity.

Tests were carried out to determine the weighing precision of a 2 m deep lysimeter with a 1 m 2 cross-sectional area and a total mass of 3500 to 3850 kg, depending on the soil water content. The weighing mechanism consists on three shear-stress cells laid out for a load capacity of 1320 kg each. Mass changes as small as 20 g, which is equivalent here to a water gain or loss of 0.02 mm, can be measured with good accuracy and stability under favorable environmental conditions (low wind speed, relatively constant temperature). This precision does not depend on the position on the lysimeter where the mass change occurs and is as good as the best values reported in the literature for other lysimeters. To prevent water and debris from entering the cleavage between lysimeter vessel and pit casing, a rubber collar can be placed across the cleavage. It is attached to the casing and extends about 1-2 cm into the vessel. Although the collar is not supposed to touch the vessel, it does at a few points. This seriously lowers weighing precision, because this contact exerts forces on the vessel, which distort the true weight. Hence, one should refrain from using this type of collar and develop another one. Weighing precision decreases with increasing wind speed, because wind exerts forces on the lysimeter vessel and can thus alter its apparent weight. It is temperature-dependent, too.