Oto-facial syndrome and esophageal atresia, intellectual disability and zygomatic anomalies: expanding the phenotypes associated with EFTUD2 mutations

Background: Mutations in EFTUD2 were proven to cause a very distinct mandibulofacial dysostosis type Guion-Almeida (MFDGA, OMIM #610536). Recently, gross deletions and mutations in EFTUD2 were determined to cause syndromic esophageal atresia (EA), as well. We set forth to find further conditions caused by mutations in the EFTUD2 gene (OMIM *603892). Methods and results: We performed exome sequencing in two familial cases with clinical features overlapping with MFDGA and EA, but which were previously assumed to represent distinct entities, a syndrome with esophageal atresia, hypoplasia of zygomatic complex, microcephaly, cup-shaped ears, congenital heart defect, and intellectual disability in a mother and her two children [AJMG 143A(11):1135-1142, 2007] and a supposedly autosomal recessive oto-facial syndrome with midline malformations in two sisters [AJMG 132(4):398-401, 2005]. While the analysis of our exome data was in progress, a recent publication made EFTUD2 mutations highly likely in these families. This hypothesis could be confirmed with exome as well as with Sanger sequencing. Also, in three further sporadic patients, clinically overlapping to these two families, de novo mutations within EFTUD2 were identified by Sanger sequencing. Our clinical and molecular workup of the patients discloses a broad phenotypic spectrum, and describes for the first time an instance of germline mosaicism for an EFTUD2 mutation. Conclusions: The clinical features of the eight patients described here further broaden the phenotypic spectrum caused by EFTUD2 mutations or deletions. We here show, that it not only includes mandibulofacial dysostosis type Guion-Almeida, which should be reclassified as an acrofacial dysostosis because of thumb anomalies (present in 12/35 or 34% of patients) and syndromic esophageal atresia [JMG 49(12). 737-746, 2012], but also the two new syndromes, namely oto-facial syndrome with midline malformations published by Megarbane et al. [AJMG 132(4): 398-401, 2005] and the syndrome published by Wieczorek et al. [AJMG 143A(11):1135-1142, 2007] The finding of mild phenotypic features in the mother of one family that could have been overlooked and the possibility of germline mosaicism in apparently healthy parents in the other family should be taken into account when counseling such families

Genome sequencing in families with congenital limb malformations

The extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity of congenital limb malformation calls for comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variation. Genome sequencing (GS) has the potential to identify all genetic variants. Here we aim to determine the diagnostic potential of GS as a comprehensive one-test-for-all strategy in a cohort of undiagnosed patients with congenital limb malformations. We collected 69 cases (64 trios, 1 duo, 5 singletons) with congenital limb malformations with no molecular diagnosis after standard clinical genetic testing and performed genome sequencing. We also developed a framework to identify potential noncoding pathogenic variants. We identified likely pathogenic/disease-associated variants in 12 cases (17.4%) including four in known disease genes, and one repeat expansion in HOXD13. In three unrelated cases with ectrodactyly, we identified likely pathogenic variants in UBA2, establishing it as a novel disease gene. In addition, we found two complex structural variants (3%). We also identified likely causative variants in three novel high confidence candidate genes. We were not able to identify any noncoding variants. GS is a powerful strategy to identify all types of genomic variants associated with congenital limb malformation, including repeat expansions and complex structural variants missed by standard diagnostic approaches. In this cohort, no causative noncoding SNVs could be identified. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00439-021-02295-y

Numerical model simulation of the Saharan dust event of 6–11 March 2006 using the Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3)

The Sahara desert is the world's primary source of mineral dust aerosols and is known to be an important but poorly understood component of the climate system. Climate models which incorporate dust modules have the potential to improve our understanding of the climate impacts of dust. In this study, the performance of the Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) with an active dust scheme is evaluated, using a major dust event of 6-11 March 2006 as a test case. To account for the distribution of preferential dust source regions, soil texture characteristics were modified in dust source regions identified from long-term SEVIRI satellite data. The dust event was associated with a pronounced cold outbreak of midlatitude air over the northern Sahara which produced anomalously strong northerly winds, which propagated from west to east over the Sahara during the study period. This resulted in dust mobilization from multiple dust sources across the domain. RegCM3 represents the space/time structure of near-surface meteorology well, although surface winds are underestimated in absolute terms. The experiment in which soils are modified provides a better representation of local dust sources and emission and resulting atmospheric optical thickness (AOT). In this experiment, model simulated dust flux exported from the Sahara to the Sahel and the tropical east Atlantic is estimated as 1.9 Tg d(-1). The dust event had a profound impact on the surface solar radiation budget of similar to-140 W m(-2) per unit AOT (domain average). The shortwave radiative effect at the top of the atmosphere is similar to-10 W m(-2) per unit AOT over the study domain. However, this is strongly dependent on surface albedo. The results also highlight how errors in model simulated circulation lead to errors in the position of the dust plume

Genome sequencing in families with congenital limb malformations

The extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity of congenital limb malformation calls for comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variation. Genome sequencing (GS) has the potential to identify all genetic variants. Here we aim to determine the diagnostic potential of GS as a comprehensive one-test-for-all strategy in a cohort of undiagnosed patients with congenital limb malformations. We collected 69 cases (64 trios, 1 duo, 5 singletons) with congenital limb malformations with no molecular diagnosis after standard clinical genetic testing and performed genome sequencing. We also developed a framework to identify potential noncoding pathogenic variants. We identified likely pathogenic/disease-associated variants in 12 cases (17.4%) including four in known disease genes, and one repeat expansion in HOXD13. In three unrelated cases with ectrodactyly, we identified likely pathogenic variants in UBA2, establishing it as a novel disease gene. In addition, we found two complex structural variants (3%). We also identified likely causative variants in three novel high confidence candidate genes. We were not able to identify any noncoding variants. GS is a powerful strategy to identify all types of genomic variants associated with congenital limb malformation, including repeat expansions and complex structural variants missed by standard diagnostic approaches. In this cohort, no causative noncoding SNVs could be identified

Energy Resolution Performance of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The energy resolution performance of the CMS lead tungstate crystal electromagnetic calorimeter is presented. Measurements were made with an electron beam using a fully equipped supermodule of the calorimeter barrel. Results are given both for electrons incident on the centre of crystals and for electrons distributed uniformly over the calorimeter surface. The electron energy is reconstructed in matrices of 3 times 3 or 5 times 5 crystals centred on the crystal containing the maximum energy. Corrections for variations in the shower containment are applied in the case of uniform incidence. The resolution measured is consistent with the design goals

NDE Requirements for Thick Marine Composites

There is an increasing interest in the use of thick (more than 25 mm) polymer-matrix composite materials in marine structures. At the present time, the U.S. Navy is employing state-of-the-art polymer-matrix composite materials in the construction of submarine bow domes and is interested in the use of more-advanced materials in submarine pressure hulls and specialized sonar transducers. Concurrently, there appears to be considerable interest in the commercial sector, particularly in off-shore construction, where polymer-matrix composites are used in buoyancy materials, ropes and risers.</p

Synthesis and Evaluation of 3-(Dihydroxyboryl)benzoic Acids as d,d-Carboxypeptidase R39 Inhibitors.

Penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) catalyze steps in the biosynthesis of bacterial cell walls and are the targets for the beta-lactam antibiotics. Non-beta-lactam based antibiotics that target PBPs are of interest because bacteria have evolved resistance to the beta-lactam antibiotics. Boronic acids have been developed as inhibitors of the mechanistically related serine beta-lactamases and serine proteases; however, they have not been explored extensively as PBP inhibitors. Here we report aromatic boronic acid inhibitors of the d,d-carboxypeptidase R39 from Actinomadura sp. strain. Analogues of an initially identified inhibitor [3-(dihydroxyboryl)benzoic acid 1, IC(50) 400 muM] were prepared via routes involving pinacol boronate esters, which were deprotected via a two-stage procedure involving intermediate trifluorborate salts that were hydrolyzed to provide the free boronic acids. 3-(Dihydroxyboryl)benzoic acid analogues containing an amide substituent in the meta, but not ortho position were up to 17-fold more potent inhibitors of the R39 PBP and displayed some activity against other PBPs. These compounds may be useful for the development of even more potent boronic acid based PBP inhibitors with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.EUR-INTAFA

Effect of Microformulation on the Bioactivity of an Anthocyanin-rich Bilberry Pomace Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in Vitro

In cell culture were compared the different release rates of anthocyanins from a bilberry pomace extract encapsulated either in food grade whey protein-based matrix capsules (WPC) or in pectin amid-based hollow spherical capsules (PHS). The impact of the formulations on typical anthocyanin-associated biological end points such as inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and suppression of cell growth in HT29 colon carcinoma cells was assessed. The purpose was to find whether the release rates are sufficient to maintain biological activity and whether encapsulation affected EGFR inhibitory and growth suppressive properties of the extract. Even though anthocyanin release from extract-loaded capsules was proven under cell culture conditions, the inhibitory potential toward the EGFR was diminished. However, nonencapsulated extract as well as both extract-loaded encapsulation systems diminished the growth of HT29 cells to a comparable extent. The loss of EGFR inhibitory properties by encapsulation despite anthocyanin release indicates substantial contribution of other further constituents not monitored so far. Taken together, both applied encapsulation strategies allowed anthocyanin release and maintained biological activity with respect to growth inhibitory properties. However, the loss of EGFR inhibitory effects emphasizes the need for biological profiling to estimate process-induced changes of plant constituent’s beneficial potencies