No COVID-19 pandemic impact on incidence and clinical presentation of celiac disease in Italian children

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the impact of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic on the incidence and clinical presentation of celiac disease (CD) in children.MethodsThe diagnoses of CD were compared between the COVID-19 pandemic (from April 2020 to March 2022) and the pre-pandemic period (from April 2018 to March 2020) in three Italian Paediatric Gastroenterology centres (Varese, Como, Catanzaro). Electronic patient records were reviewed and additional information were collected through parental interview. The diagnosis of CD was made according to ESPGHAN criteria. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed based on pre-vaccination positive serum antibodies or nasopharyngeal swabs. Z test and chi-square were used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe overall number of paediatric diagnosis of CD did not differ between the two years pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (177 and 172 cases) in the three Italian participating centres. Clinical presentation of CD was also similar throughout the study periods. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented in 10.6% of children but only in 5.8% of these occurred before CD diagnosis.ConclusionDifferent to what reported for other autoimmune diseases, the incidence and presenting symptoms of CD in our paediatric population did not change during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous 2 years

The cooling of atomic and molecular gas in DR21

We present an overview of a high-mass star formation region through the major (sub-)mm, and far-infrared cooling lines to gain insight into the physical conditions and the energy budget of the molecular cloud. We used the KOSMA 3m telescope to map the core ($10'\times 14'$) of the Galactic star forming region DR 21/DR 21 (OH) in the Cygnus X region in the two fine structure lines of atomic carbon CI and four mid-$J$ transitions of CO and $^{13}$CO, and CS J=7\TO6. These observations have been combined with FCRAO J=1\TO0 observations of $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O. Five positions, including DR21, DR21 (OH), and DR21 FIR1, were observed with the ISO/LWS grating spectrometer in the \OI 63 and 145 $\mu$m lines, the \CII 158 $\mu$m line, and four high-$J$ CO lines. We discuss the intensities and line ratios at these positions and apply Local Thermal Equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE analysis methods in order to derive physical parameters such as masses, densities and temperatures. The CO line emission has been modeled up to J=20. From non-LTE modeling of the low- to high-$J$ CO lines we identify two gas components, a cold one at temperatures of T_\RM{kin}\sim 30-40 K, and one with T_\RM{kin}\sim 80-150 K at a local clump density of about n(H$_2$)$\sim 10^4-10^6$ cm$^{-3}$. While the cold quiescent component is massive containing typically more than 94 % of the mass, the warm, dense, and turbulent gas is dominated by mid- and high-$J$ CO line emission and its large line widths. The medium must be clumpy with a volume-filling of a few percent. The CO lines are found to be important for the cooling of the cold molecular gas, e.g. at DR21 (OH). Near the outflow of the UV-heated source DR21, the gas cooling is dominated by line emission of atomic oxygen and of CO

Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study WNT pathway alteration in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

Introduction: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder affecting neurodevelopment, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems. CdLS is caused by mutations within NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, or HDAC8 genes. These genes codify for the cohesin complex, a multiprotein structure playing a role in chromatid adhesion, DNA repair and gene expression regulation. It has been demonstrated that a strong correlation exists between cohesin complex function and WNT signalling. Recently, it has been observed that chemical activation of the WNT pathway in nipblb-loss-of-function zebrafish embryos and in NIPBL-mutated patient fibroblasts rescued the adverse phenotype. Both embryos and fibroblasts present similar patterns of canonical WNT pathway alterations and CCND1 downregulation. Materials and Methods: Drosophila melanogaster is an inexpensive model to study CdLS and to screen in vivo for therapeutic compounds. Therefore, we have selected fly strains mutated in nipped-B and hdac3 genes (respectively NIPBL and HDAC8 in humans) for assessing the existing correlation between cohesin complex and WNT pathway and to screen for chemicals that revert the CdLS associated-phenotypes efficiently. Results: We have confirmed that mutated flies weight 5% less than wild type. Moreover, we have tested lithium chloride (LiCl) as WNT activator, demonstrating that 250mM is the highest concentration tolerated. Conclusions: Hence, we hypothesize that WNT pathway activation could improve mutant phenotype. We will be testing different doses of LiCl and other WNT activator to assess whether some of those chemical compounds could revert the syndrome-associated phenotype

Modulating the WNT pathway in Drosophila models of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder affecting neurodevelopment and the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal systems. CdLS is caused by mutations within NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and HDAC8 genes. These genes codify for the cohesin complex, a multiprotein structure playing a role in chromatid adhesion, DNA repair and gene expression regulation. It has been demonstrated that a strong correlation exists between cohesin complex function and WNT signalling, an intracellular pathway involved in regulation of expression of several genes controlling cell division and embryonic development. Recently, it has been observed that chemical activation of the WNT pathway in nipblb-loss-of-function zebrafish embryos and in NIPBL-mutated patient fibroblasts rescued the adverse phenotype. Both embryos and fibroblasts present similar patterns of canonical WNT pathway alterations and cyclinD1 downregulation. Drosophila melanogaster is an inexpensive model to study CdLS and to screen in vivo for therapeutic compounds. Therefore, we have used flies strains mutated in Nipped-B and Hdac3 genes (respectively NIPBL and HDAC8 in humans) for assessing the existing correlation between cohesin complex and WNT pathway. Moreover, we have selected D. melanogaster mutants to screen for chemicals that revert the CdLS associated-phenotypes efficiently. In particular, we have tested several WNT activators and differences in modulating CdLS phenotypes will be discussed

The clinical management of children with achondroplasia in Italy: results of clinician and parent/caregiver surveys

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the real-world management of achondroplasia in Italy. Methods: Two online surveys addressed to (1) parents/caregivers of individuals with achondroplasia and (2) Italian clinicians managing individuals with achondroplasia were conducted to assess real-world perspectives on achondroplasia management. Both surveys collected data on either patient or clinician demographics, details on diagnoses and referrals, disease complications, and views/experiences with limb lengthening surgery. Results: In total, 42 parents/caregivers and 19 clinicians (from 18 hospitals) completed the surveys. According to parents/caregivers, achondroplasia diagnosis was most commonly made in the third trimester of gestation (55% of respondents), with a genetic test performed to confirm the diagnosis in all but one case. In contrast, the clinicians indicated that, while achondroplasia was typically suspected during the prenatal period (78%), diagnosis was more frequently confirmed postnatally (72%). Parents/caregivers reported that the greatest impact of achondroplasia-related complications occurred in their children between the ages of 2-5 years. The most significant complications were otitis, sleep apnoea, stenosis of the foramen magnum or pressure on the spinal cord, and hearing difficulties. Lengthening surgery had been presented as a treatment option to 92% of responding parents/caregivers, with 76% of clinicians viewing surgery favourably. Typically, clinicians' reasons for suggesting limb lengthening surgery were to improve patient quality of life, increase patient autonomy and self-acceptance, improve trunk-limb disproportion, short stature and walking, and ensure that all possible treatment options had been presented to the parents/caregivers. Conclusion: This survey provides insight into the real-world management of individuals with achondroplasia in Italy

Children with special health care needs attending emergency department in Italy: analysis of 3479 cases

Background Although children with special health care needs (CSHCN) represent a minority of the population, they go through more hospitalizations, more admissions to the Emergency Department (ED), and receive a major number of medical prescriptions, in comparison to general pediatric population. Objectives of the study were to determine the reasons for admission to the ED in Italian CSHCN, and to describe the association between patient's demographic data, clinical history, and health services requirements. Methods Ad hoc web site was created to collect retrospective data of 3479 visits of CSHCN to the ED in 58 Italian Hospitals. Results Seventy-two percent of patients admitted to ED were affected by a previously defined medical condition. Most of the ED admissions were children with syndromic conditions (54%). 44.2% of the ED admissions were registered during the night-time and/or at the weekends. The hospitalization rate was of 45.6% among patients admitted to the ED. The most common reason for admission to the ED was the presence of respiratory symptoms (26.6%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (21.3%) and neurological disorders (18.2%). 51.4% of the access were classified as 'urgent', with a red/yellow triage code. Considering the type of ED, 61.9% of the visits were conducted at the Pediatric EDs (PedEDs), 33.5% at the Functional EDs (FunEDs) and 4.6% at the Dedicated EDs (DedEDs). Patients with more complex clinical presentation were more likely to be evaluated at the PedEDs. CSHCN underwent to a higher number of medical procedures at the PedEDs, more in comparison to other EDs. Children with medical devices were directed to a PedED quite exclusively when in need for medical attention. Subjects under multiple anti-epileptic drug therapy attended to PedEDs or FunEDs generally. Patients affected by metabolic diseases were more likely to look for medical attention at FunEDs. Syndromic patients mostly required medical attention at the DedEDs. Conclusions Access of CSHCN to an ED is not infrequent. For this reason, it is fundamental for pediatricians working in any kind of ED to increase their general knowledge about CHSCN and to gain expertise in the management of such patients and their related medical complexity

Molecular Etiology Disclosed by Array CGH in Patients With Silver–Russell Syndrome or Similar Phenotypes

Introduction: Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is an imprinting disorder primarily caused by genetic and epigenetic aberrations on chromosomes 11 and 7. SRS is a rare growth retardation disorder often misdiagnosed due to its heterogeneous and non-specific clinical features. The Netchine-Harbison clinical scoring system (NH-CSS) is the recommended tool for differentiating patients into clinical SRS or unlikely SRS. However, the clinical diagnosis is molecularly confirmed only in about 60% of patients, leaving the remaining substantial proportion of SRS patients with unknown genetic etiology. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 34 Italian patients with SRS or SRS-like features scored according to the NH-CSS and without any SRS-associated (epi)genetic alterations was analyzed by high-resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in order to identify potentially pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs). Results and Discussion: In seven patients, making up 21% of the initial cohort, five pathogenic and two potentially pathogenic CNVs were found involving distinct genomic regions either previously associated with growth delay conditions (1q24.3-q25.3, 17p13.3, 17q22, and 22q11.2-q11.22) and with SRS spectrum (7p12.1 and 7p15.3-p14.3) or outlined for the first time (19q13.42), providing a better definition of reported and as yet unreported SRS overlapping syndromes. All the variants involve genes with a defined role in growth pathways, and for two genes mapping at 7p, IGF2BP3 and GRB10, the association with SRS turns out to be reinforced. The deleterious effect of the two potentially pathogenic variants, comprising GRB10 and ZNF331 genes, was explored by targeted approaches, though further studies are needed to validate their pathogenic role in the SRS etiology. In conclusion, we reconfirm the utility of performing a genome-wide scan to achieve a differential diagnosis in patients with SRS or similar features and to highlight novel chromosome alterations associated with SRS and growth retardation disorders

Deletion of the AP1S2 gene in a child with psychomotor delay and hypotonia

We identified a 495 Kb interstitial deletion of chromosome Xp22.2, centered on the AP1S2 gene, by means of oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) in a child with marked hypotonia in the first months of life, psychomotor retardation, severely delayed walking and speech development, and unspecific dysmorphic facial features. The deletion was inherited from the healthy mother. Point mutations of the AP1S2 gene have been identified in patients with X-linked mental retardation (XLMR). The clinical features of our patient are quite similar to those reported in male patients carrying point mutations, thus suggesting that point mutations and deletions of the AP1S2 gene lead to a recognisable XLMR phenotype in males

Familial intragenic duplication of ANKRD11 underlying three patients of KBG syndrome

Background: KBG syndrome, a rare autosomal disorder characterised by distinctive craniofacial and skeletal features and developmental delay, is caused by haploinsufficiency of the ANKRD11 gene. Results: Here we describe two siblings with multiple symptoms characteristic of KBG and their mother with a milder phenotype. In the siblings, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) identified an intragenic microduplication affecting ANKRD11 that was absent from the parents' array CGH profiles. Microsatellite analysis revealed the maternal origin of the rearrangement and interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (i-FISH) experiments identified the rearrangement in low-level mosaicism in the mother. Molecular characterisation of the duplication allele demonstrated the presence of two mutant ANKRD11 transcripts containing a premature stop codon and predicting a truncated non-functional protein. Conclusions: Similarly to deletions and point mutations, this novel pathogenetic rearrangement causes haploinsufficiency of ANKRD11, resulting in KBG syndrome

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome : NIPBL haploinsufficiency downregulates canonical Wnt pathway in zebrafish embryos and patients fibroblasts

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome is a severe genetic disorder characterized by malformations affecting multiple systems, with a common feature of severe mental retardation. Genetic variants within four genes (NIPBL (Nipped-B-like), SMC1A, SMC3, and HDAC8) are believed to be responsible for the majority of cases; all these genes encode proteins that are part of the 'cohesin complex'. Cohesins exhibit two temporally separated major roles in cells: one controlling the cell cycle and the other involved in regulating the gene expression. The present study focuses on the role of the zebrafish nipblb paralog during neural development, examining its expression in the central nervous system, and analyzing the consequences of nipblb loss of function. Neural development was impaired by the knockdown of nipblb in zebrafish. nipblb-loss-of-function embryos presented with increased apoptosis in the developing neural tissues, downregulation of canonical Wnt pathway genes, and subsequent decreased Cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) levels. Importantly, the same pattern of canonical WNT pathway and CCND1 downregulation was observed in NIPBL-mutated patient-specific fibroblasts. Finally, chemical activation of the pathway in nipblb-loss-of-function embryos rescued the adverse phenotype and restored the physiological levels of cell death