Next-generation sequencing in bone marrow failure syndromes and isolated cytopenias: experience of the spanish network on bone marrow failure sundromes

© 2021 the Author(s).Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFSs) are a group of congenital rare diseases characterized by bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies, high genetic heterogeneity, and predisposition to cancer. Appropriate treatment and cancer surveillance ideally depend on the identification of the mutated gene. A next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel of genes could be 1 initial genetic screening test to be carried out in a comprehensive study of IBMFSs, allowing molecular detection in affected patients. We designed 2 NGS panels of IBMFS genes: version 1 included 129 genes and version 2 involved 145 genes. The cohort included a total of 204 patients with suspected IBMFSs without molecular diagnosis. Capture-based targeted sequencing covered > 99% of the target regions of 145 genes, with more than 20 independent reads. No differences were seen between the 2 versions of the panel. The NGS tool allowed a total of 91 patients to be diagnosed, with an overall molecular diagnostic rate of 44%. Among the 167 patients with classified IBMFSs, 81 patients (48%) were diagnosed. Unclassified IBMFSs involved a total of 37 patients, of whom 9 patients (24%) were diagnosed. The preexisting diagnosis of 6 clinically classified patients (6%) was amended, implying a change of therapy for some of them. Our NGS IBMFS gene panel assay is a useful tool in the molecular diagnosis of IBMFSs and a reasonable option as the first tier genetic test in these disorders

Prevalencia del síndrome de Phelan-Mcdermid en españa

Background: Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by a deletion of the terminal end of chromosome 22 in the 13.3 region, as well as, by point mutations within SHANK3 gene. The aims of this research were to determine the prevalence of the disease in the Spanish population, to establish the geographical distribution of the syndrome among the different autonomous communities, to elucidate the age range that affects more patients, to study the disease-sex relationship, as well as the age at diagnosis. Methods: For the research, patients diagnosed with the disease for twelve years were recruited throughout the Spanish territory. The clinical patient information was obtained from the referral doctors using two standardized questionnaires completed with data from the medical reports and the interview with the parents. The molecular diagnosis of the disease was carried out using different formats of microarrays. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel and Statgraphics Centurion XVII. Results: Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease. Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease, its prevalence being 4x10-4/10,000 inhabitants. The community with the most diagnosed patients was Madrid and there were no significant differences in terms of sex and disease, the mean age at diagnosis was around 6.67 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of the disease in Spain is very low, and it can be stated that it is very likely that there are more people with this syndrome in the population.Fundamentos: El Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid es una enfermedad poco frecuente de origen genético causada por la deleción del extremo terminal del cromosoma 22 región q13.3 o por mutaciones puntuales que afectan al gen SHANK3. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar la prevalencia de la enfermedad en la población española, establecer la distribución geográfica del síndrome entre las distintas comunidades autónomas, dilucidar el rango de edad en el que existen más pacientes y estudiar la relación enfermedad-sexo así como la edad media al diagnóstico. Métodos: Para la investigación se reclutaron pacientes diagnósticados con la enfermedad durante doce años en todo el territorio español. La información clínica de los pacientes se obtuvo de los médicos de referencia mediante dos cuestionarios estandarizados completados con datos de los informes médicos y la entrevista a los padres. El diagnóstico molecular de la enfermedad se realizó utilizando diferentes formatos de microarrays. Los datos se trataron utilizando Microsoft Excel y Statgraphics Centurion XVII. Resultados: Actualmente en España existen 201 personas diagnosticadas con la enfermedad siendo su prevalencia de 4x10-4/10.000 habitantes. La comunidad con más pacientes diagnosticados fue Madrid y no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto al sexo y la enfermedad, la edad media al diagnóstico se sitúa en torno a los 6,67 años. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la enfermedad en España es muy baja pudiéndose afirmar que es muy probable que en la población existan más personas con este síndrome

Highly efficient alkyne hydroarylation with chelating dicarbene palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes

We report on a novel reaction protocol for the coupling of arenes with alkynes (the Fujiwara reaction), yielding products of formal trans-hydroarylation of the triple bond. The protocol makes use of a chelating N-heterocyclic dicarbene palladium(II) complex as catalyst and allows us to perform the reaction in a few hours with only 0.1 mol% catalyst yielding the trans-hydroarylation product in high yields and with excellent selectivity. We discuss the applicability of this reaction protocol, which appears at present quite general with respect to the alkyne, albeit limited to electron-rich arenes. We also present the results of catalyst optimisation with respect to the nature of the nitrogen substituents in the carbene units, of the bridging group between the carbene units and of the coordinated anionic ligands. Finally, we also discuss the catalytic performance of a related chelating dicarbene complex of platinum(II)