Hearing characterization in oculoauriculovertebral spectrum : a prospective study with 10 patients

Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAVS), also known as Goldenhar syndrome, is considered a condition associated to failing of embryogenesis involving the first and second branchial arches, leading to structural abnormalities arising from it. The aim of this study is to verify the hearing features presented by patients with OAVS and provide additional information that may contribute to improvement of speech therapy. The sample consisted of 10 individuals diagnosed with OAVS and cared for by the Clinical Genetics Service. All patients underwent objective assessment of auditory function through tonal and vocal audiometry. This evaluation was completed using TOAE and BERA. The patient’s age ranged from 1 year and 9 months to 27 years and 4 months. At physical examination it was found that 10 had microtia, 7 preauricular tags, 6 low-set ears, 6 ear canal atresia, and 2 preauricular pits. Among the patients, five presented with abnormal hearing. Three patients had conductive hearing loss ranging from mild to moderate, and two patients had sensorineural hearing loss from mild to profound. Three patients had hearing loss in both ears. Speech-language disorders are common in children with OAVS. Thus, the referral to the audiologist and speech pathologist is indicated as soon as possible. Early recognition and detailed understanding of aspects related to the etiology, clinical features, and outcome of patients with OAVS are essential for their proper management

Androgen modulation of pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines during preadipocyte differentiation

Background: Macrophages and adipocytes contribute to release of cytokines resulting in the chronic inflammatory profile of the metabolic syndrome. The local increase of proinflammatory cytokines impairs adipogenesis, resulting in formation of dysfunctional adipocytes that are unable to store and handle lipids. The altered lipid fluxes in/from adipocytes affect whole-body metabolism. We investigated the role of androgens on adipocyte-derived proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during preadipocyte differentiation. Materials and methods: Various differentiation methods were used to obtain full conversion of 3T3-L1 into mature adipocytes. The degree of adipocyte conversion in the presence/absence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was analyzed by measuring intracellular triglycerides (Oil Red O staining). The effects of DHT administration on interleukin 1Β (IL-1Β), IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon γ (IFNΓ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) secretion was measured at days 0, 4, 6 and 8 of differentiation using the SearchLight multiplex protein array. Results: DHT regulates a number of cytokines in committed and mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. IL-1Β and TNFα were readily suppressed at the very early stages of differentiation. IFNΓ release was inhibited at day 4, but the effect was no longer detectable on day 8. IL-6 and IL-12 were significantly reduced at day 8 of differentiation. Conversely, the differentiation-dependent increase of IL-2 and IL-10 was further stimulated by DHT since day 0. Conclusions: We provide evidence that androgens promote an anti-inflammatory profile that parallels the acquisition of a functional adipocyte phenotype. The crosstalk between androgens, adipocyte-derived mediators of inflammation and intracellular lipid fluxes could have profound implications on metabolism of men with obesity and metabolic syndrome. © 2010, by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York. All rights reserved

Espectro óculo-aurículo-vertebral e malformações cardíacas

OBJETIVO: Verificar a frequência e tipos de cardiopatias congênitas em uma amostra de pacientes portadores de espectro óculo-aurículo-vertebral (EOAV), tentando correlacionar a presença desta malformação com suas demais características clínicas e evolução. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 33 indivíduos, todos atendidos em um mesmo centro, no período de janeiro de 1975 a dezembro de 2007. Vinte e dois deles eram do sexo masculino e 11 do feminino e suas idades variaram de 1 dia a 17 anos. Todos apresentavam avaliação cariotípica normal por bandas GTG. Realizou-se uma coleta de dados referentes à sua história clínica, exame físico e resultado de avaliações complementares. RESULTADOS: Anormalidades cardíacas foram observadas em 13 pacientes (39,4%). Dessas, cinco (38,5%) eram do tipo conotruncal, sendo o principal defeito a tetralogia de Fallot (n=2). Malformações não usuais identificadas incluíram o cor triatriatum e a dupla via de entrada de ventrículo esquerdo. Diferenças significativas entre as características clínicas do grupo com e sem cardiopatia foram verificadas somente em relação à idade na primeira avaliação, que foi mais baixa naqueles com malformações cardíacas. Cinco indivíduos foram a óbito, quatro deles portadores desses defeitos. CONCLUSÃO: Malformações cardíacas, em especial dos tipos conotruncal e septal, são frequentes entre pacientes com EOAV. A frequência encontrada em nosso estudo foi estatisticamente similar à da maior parte dos trabalhos descritos na literatura, que oscila de 18% a 58%. As cardiopatias congênitas também representam a principal causa de óbito desses indivíduos. Portanto, uma avaliação cardiológica, especialmente precoce, deveria ser sempre realizada nesses pacientes.OBJECTIVE: To verify the frequency and types of congenital heart defects in a sample of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS), in an effort to correlate presence of these defects with other clinical characteristics and evolution. METHODS: The sample comprised 33 subjects, all attended in the same center, between January 1975 and December 2007. Twenty two of them were male and eleven female and their ages ranged from 1 day to 17 years. All presented normal karyotype by GTG-Banding. A data collection related to their clinical history, physical examination and result of complementary evaluations was performed. RESULTS: Cardiac abnormalities were observed in 13 patients (39.4%). Of these defects, 5 (38.5%) were conotruncal, tetralogy of Fallot being the main malformation (n=2). Unusual anomalies identified included cor triatriatum and double inlet left ventricle. Significant differences among the clinical characteristics of the group with and without heart defect were only verified in relation to age at first evaluation that was lower in subjects with cardiac malformations. Five patients died, four of them, bearers of congenital heart defects. CONCLUSION: Cardiac malformations, mainly conotruncal and septal defects, are frequent among patients with OAVS. Frequency found in our study was statistically similar to the majority of works described in literature where it ranged from 18 to 58%. Congenital heart defects also represent the main cause of death of these subjects. Thus, a cardiac evaluation should always be performed in these patients, especially at an early age

Erratum to: Methods for evaluating medical tests and biomarkers

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41512-016-0001-y.]