Clinical, genetic and immunologic analysis of a family affected by ozena

2003 ◽  
Vol 260 (7) ◽  
pp. 390-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Medina ◽  
Marco Benazzo ◽  
Giulia Bertino ◽  
Carlo Maurizio Montecucco ◽  
Cesare Danesino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Immunologic Analysis

Retrospective Diagnosis of Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 1B in a Family with Two Deceased Newborn Children

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Bradinova ◽  
Silvia Andonova ◽  
Alexey Savov
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorder ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Retrospective Diagnosis ◽  
Newborn Children

AbstractPontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1B is a severe autosomal recessive neurologic disorder characterized by a combination of cerebellar and spinal motor neuron degeneration beginning at birth. Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1B is caused by mutations in EXOSC3 gene. High prevalence of the p.Gly31Ala mutation was found recently, especially in the Roma ethnic minority. We present a young Bulgarian Roma family with two deceased newborn children manifesting severe neuromuscular disorder including severe muscle weakness, respiratory distress, and multiple joint contractures. Based on the clinical signs and family's population characteristics, DNA testing for the previously described EXOSC3 in Bulgarian Roma mutation c.92G > C; p.Gly31Ala was performed on blood samples of both parents and they were found to be heterozygous carriers. This finding indirectly confirmed the diagnosis of pontocerebellar hypoplasia type B in the deceased offspring. Knowledge of population-specific molecular bases of genetic conditions was the key to final diagnosis in the presented family. Designing of population-based clinical-genetic panels may be a powerful diagnostic tool for patients with such origin. Preconception carrier screening in high-risk population groups is a feasible option to discuss.

Toxicity and efficacy evaluation of multiple targeted polymalic acid conjugates for triple-negative breast cancer treatment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lungwani Muungo
Keyword(s):  
Triple Negative ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Engineered Nanoparticles ◽  
Efficacy Evaluation ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Laminin 411 ◽  
Immunologic Analysis

Engineered nanoparticles are widely used for delivery of drugs but frequently lack proof of safetyfor cancer patient's treatment. All-in-one covalent nanodrugs of the third generation have beensynthesized based on a poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) platform, targeting human triple-negativebreast cancer (TNBC). They significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice by blockingsynthesis of epidermal growth factor receptor, and α4 and β1 chains of laminin-411, the tumorvascular wall protein and angiogenesis marker. PMLA and nanodrug biocompatibility and toxicityat low and high dosages were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The dual-action nanodrug and singleactionprecursor nanoconjugates were assessed under in vitro conditions and in vivo with multipletreatment regimens (6 and 12 treatments). The monitoring of TNBC treatment in vivo withdifferent drugs included blood hematologic and immunologic analysis after multiple intravenousadministrations. The present study demonstrates that the dual-action nanoconju-gate is highlyeffective in preclinical TNBC treatment without side effects, supported by hematologic andimmunologic assays data. PMLA-based nanodrugs of the Polycefin™ family passed multipletoxicity and efficacy tests in vitro and in vivo on preclinical level and may prove to be optimizedand efficacious for the treatment of cancer patients in the future.

scholarly journals Plasma NfL levels and longitudinal change rates in C9orf72 and GRN-associated diseases: from tailored references to clinical applications

2021 ◽  
pp. jnnp-2021-326914
Author(s):  
Dario Saracino ◽  
Karim Dorgham ◽  
Agnès Camuzat ◽  
Daisy Rinaldi ◽  
Armelle Rametti-Lacroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Therapeutic Trials

ObjectiveNeurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising biomarker in genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We evaluated plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) levels in controls, and their longitudinal trajectories in C9orf72 and GRN cohorts from presymptomatic to clinical stages.MethodsWe analysed pNfL using Single Molecule Array (SiMoA) in 668 samples (352 baseline and 316 follow-up) of C9orf72 and GRN patients, presymptomatic carriers (PS) and controls aged between 21 and 83. They were longitudinally evaluated over a period of >2 years, during which four PS became prodromal/symptomatic. Associations between pNfL and clinical–genetic variables, and longitudinal NfL changes, were investigated using generalised and linear mixed-effects models. Optimal cut-offs were determined using the Youden Index.ResultspNfL levels increased with age in controls, from ~5 to~18 pg/mL (p<0.0001), progressing over time (mean annualised rate of change (ARC): +3.9%/year, p<0.0001). Patients displayed higher levels and greater longitudinal progression (ARC: +26.7%, p<0.0001), with gene-specific trajectories. GRN patients had higher levels than C9orf72 (86.21 vs 39.49 pg/mL, p=0.014), and greater progression rates (ARC:+29.3% vs +24.7%; p=0.016). In C9orf72 patients, levels were associated with the phenotype (ALS: 71.76 pg/mL, FTD: 37.16, psychiatric: 15.3; p=0.003) and remarkably lower in slowly progressive patients (24.11, ARC: +2.5%; p=0.05). Mean ARC was +3.2% in PS and +7.3% in prodromal carriers. We proposed gene-specific cut-offs differentiating patients from controls by decades.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of gene-specific and age-specific references for clinical and therapeutic trials in genetic FTD/ALS. It supports the usefulness of repeating pNfL measurements and considering ARC as a prognostic marker of disease progression.Trial registration numbersNCT02590276 and NCT04014673.

scholarly journals Discovery of predictors of sudden cardiac arrest in diabetes: rationale and outline of the RESCUED (REcognition of Sudden Cardiac arrest vUlnErability in Diabetes) project

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001554
Author(s):  
Laura H van Dongen ◽  
Peter P Harms ◽  
Mark Hoogendoorn ◽  
Dominic S Zimmerman ◽  
Elisabeth M Lodder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Prognostic Model ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Rare Variant Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gp Care

IntroductionEarly recognition of individuals with increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains challenging. SCA research so far has used data from cardiologist care, but missed most SCA victims, since they were only in general practitioner (GP) care prior to SCA. Studying individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in GP care may help solve this problem, as they have increased risk for SCA, and rich clinical datasets, since they regularly visit their GP for check-up measurements. This information can be further enriched with extensive genetic and metabolic information.AimTo describe the study protocol of the REcognition of Sudden Cardiac arrest vUlnErability in Diabetes (RESCUED) project, which aims at identifying clinical, genetic and metabolic factors contributing to SCA risk in individuals with T2D, and to develop a prognostic model for the risk of SCA.MethodsThe RESCUED project combines data from dedicated SCA and T2D cohorts, and GP data, from the same region in the Netherlands. Clinical data, genetic data (common and rare variant analysis) and metabolic data (metabolomics) will be analysed (using classical analysis techniques and machine learning methods) and combined into a prognostic model for risk of SCA.ConclusionThe RESCUED project is designed to increase our ability at early recognition of elevated SCA risk through an innovative strategy of focusing on GP data and a multidimensional methodology including clinical, genetic and metabolic analyses.

Genetic and Epigenetic landscape of leukocyte infiltration identifies an immune prognosticator in lung adenocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Seema Khadirnaikar ◽  
Annesha Chatterjee ◽  
Sudhanshu Kumar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Immune Gene ◽  
Leukocyte Infiltration ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Factors Affecting

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte infiltration plays an critical role in outcome of various diseases including Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). OBJECTIVES: To understand the genetic and epigenetic factors affecting leukocyte infiltration and identification and validation of immune based biomarkers. METHOD: Correlation analysis was done to get the associations of the factors. CIBERSORT analysis was done for immune cell infiltration. Genetic and epigenetic analysis were performed. Cox regression was carried out for survival. RESULTS: We categorized the TCGA-LUAD patients based on Leukocyte fraction (LF) and performed extensive immunogenomic analysis. Interestingly, we showed that LF has a negative correlation with copy number variation (CNV) but not with mutational load. However, several individual genetic mutations, including KRAS and KEAP1, were significantly linked with LF. Also, as expected, patients with high LF showed significantly increased expression of genes involved in leukocyte migration and activation. DNA methylation changes also showed a strong association with LF and regulated a significant proportion of genes associated with LF. We also developed and validated an independent prognostic immune signature using the top six prognostic genes associated with LF. CONCLUSION: Together, we have identified clinical, genetic, and epigenetic variations associated with LUAD LF and developed an immune gene-based signature for disease prognostication.

Feline Spongy Encephalopathy With a Mutation in the ASPA Gene

2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582110021
Author(s):  
Yuta Takaichi ◽  
James K. Chambers ◽  
Moeko Shiroma-Kohyama ◽  
Makoto Haritani ◽  
Yumi Une ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Canavan Disease ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Intensity Change ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Spongy Degeneration ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Dense Granules

Canavan disease is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA), which hydrolyses N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to acetate and aspartate. A similar feline neurodegenerative disease associated with a mutation in the ASPA gene is reported herein. Comprehensive clinical, genetic, and pathological analyses were performed on 4 affected cats. Gait disturbance and head tremors initially appeared at 1 to 19 months of age. These cats eventually exhibited dysstasia and seizures and died at 7 to 53 months of age. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed diffuse symmetrical intensity change of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of urine showed significant excretion of NAA. Genetic analysis of the 4 affected cats identified a missense mutation (c.859G>C) in exon 6 of the ASPA gene, which was not detected in 4 neurologically intact cats examined as controls. Postmortem analysis revealed vacuolar changes predominantly distributed in the gray matter of the cerebrum and brain stem as well as in the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer. Immunohistochemically, these vacuoles were surrounded by neurofilaments and sometimes contained MBP- and Olig2-positive cells. Ultrastructurally, a large number of intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing mitochondria and electron-dense granules were detected in the cerebral cortex. All 4 cats were diagnosed as spongy encephalopathy with a mutation in the ASPA gene, a syndrome analogous to human Canavan disease. The histopathological findings suggest that feline ASPA deficiency induces intracytoplasmic edema in neurons and oligodendrocytes, resulting in spongy degeneration of the central nervous system.

scholarly journals Contributors to and consequences of burnout among clinical genetic counselors in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Caleshu ◽  
Helen Kim ◽  
Julia Silver ◽  
Jehannine Austin ◽  
Aad Tibben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Genetic Counselors ◽  
Clinical Genetic

scholarly journals One in seven pathogenic variants can be challenging to detect by NGS: an analysis of 450,000 patients with implications for clinical sensitivity and genetic test implementation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Lincoln ◽  
Tina Hambuch ◽  
Justin M. Zook ◽  
Sara L. Bristow ◽  
Kathryn Hatchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Copy Number Variants ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Large Indels ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the impact of technically challenging variants on the implementation, validation, and diagnostic yield of commonly used clinical genetic tests. Such variants include large indels, small copy-number variants (CNVs), complex alterations, and variants in low-complexity or segmentally duplicated regions. Methods An interlaboratory pilot study used synthetic specimens to assess detection of challenging variant types by various next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based workflows. One well-performing workflow was further validated and used in clinician-ordered testing of more than 450,000 patients. Results In the interlaboratory study, only 2 of 13 challenging variants were detected by all 10 workflows, and just 3 workflows detected all 13. Limitations were also observed among 11 less-challenging indels. In clinical testing, 21.6% of patients carried one or more pathogenic variants, of which 13.8% (17,561) were classified as technically challenging. These variants were of diverse types, affecting 556 of 1,217 genes across hereditary cancer, cardiovascular, neurological, pediatric, reproductive carrier screening, and other indicated tests. Conclusion The analytic and clinical sensitivity of NGS workflows can vary considerably, particularly for prevalent, technically challenging variants. This can have important implications for the design and validation of tests (by laboratories) and the selection of tests (by clinicians) for a wide range of clinical indications.

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