Polyposis Deserves a Perfect Physical Examination for Final Diagnosis: Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba Syndrome

Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited polyposis syndrome characterized by macrocephaly, lipomatosis, hemangiomatosis, intestinal polyposis and pigmented macules on penis. The mutation of the PTEN gene that is responsible for controlling cellular proliferation, migration and apoptosis clarifies the reason of tissue overgrowth in BRRS. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is seen 35-45% of the patients. Histologic features of polyps in BRRS resemble juvenile polyps. In this report, we describe a boy presenting with hematochezia and aggressive polyposis and finally was diagnosed as BRRS due to extra intestinal findings.WoSScopu

Dermal Fibroblast Transcriptome Indicates Contribution Of Wnt Signaling Pathways In The Pathogenesis Of Apert Syndrome

Cranial sutures are unossified connective tissue structures between the cranial bones, which allow expansion of these bones during development. Premature ossification of these structures is called craniosynostosis. Apert syndrome is a well-defined genetic syndrome, which is characterized by craniosynostosis and arises as a result of two missense mutations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor, type 2 gene (FGFR2). In this study, differentially expressed genes in dermal fibroblasts from individuals with Apert syndrome and controls were investigated to identify important pathways in the pathogenesis of Apert syndrome. For this purpose, primary skin fibroblast cultures obtained from 3 individuals with Apert syndrome and 3 controls without craniosynostosis were compared by transcriptome microarray, GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0. As a result, 181 genes were shown to be differentially expressed between experimental groups. Among these, 10 genes, which significantly differ in Apert syndrome fibroblasts compared to controls, were shown to be involved in a common interaction network and have common Gene ontology (GO) biological processes terms. COLI 1A1, COMP, CPXM2, ITGA8, MGF and INC are differentially expressed genes that have GO terms associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, while FRZB, SFRP2 and WNT2 are involved in WNT signaling pathway. Reorganization of ECM and changes in WNT signaling pathway show that Apert syndrome primary fibroblast cultures may have an increased potential for bone differentiation. The results of this study support craniosynostosis in Apert syndrome may be the result of fast and early differentiation of connective tissue along the sutures.Wo

Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis: A Retrospective Analysis Of 151 Autopsies Performed At A Single Center

We retrospectively evaluated autopsies performed on 151 non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) cases to determine the etiology and pathological findings. Further, cases identified between 1980 and 2004 were compared with those identified between 2005 and 2015 to investigate the improvement of diagnostic performance of our institution. The mean gestational age during the fetal autopsy was 25 weeks. There were 30 live-born infants in the study group. The etiology of NIHF could be determined in 91 cases (60.3%), while it remained undefined in remaining 60 cases. The most commonly associated pathological conditions were cardiovascular malformations (11.3%), followed by chromosomal abnormalities (9.3%). Prior to 20th gestation week, genetic anomalies and cystic hygromas were the most common etiological factors, and after 30 weeks of gestation, cardiac abnormalities were found to be the most common causes. With time, the rate of undefined cases decreased from 48.4% to 33.75%. NIHF is a complex medical condition necessitating a multidisciplinary management approach. Progress in molecular genetics and imaging techniques is expected to improve diagnostic performance for rapid and better identification.WoSScopu

A mutation screen in patients with Kabuki syndrome

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is one of the classical, clinically well-known multiple anomalies/mental retardation syndromes, mainly characterized by a very distinctive facial appearance in combination with additional clinical signs such as developmental delay, short stature, persistent fingerpads, and urogenital tract anomalies. In our study, we sequenced all 54 coding exons of the recently identified MLL2 gene in 34 patients with Kabuki syndrome. We identified 18 distinct mutations in 19 patients, 11 of 12 tested de novo. Mutations were located all over the gene and included three nonsense mutations, two splice-site mutations, six small deletions or insertions, and seven missense mutations. We compared frequencies of clinical symptoms in MLL2 mutation carriers versus non-carriers. MLL2 mutation carriers significantly more often presented with short stature and renal anomalies (p = 0.026 and 0.031, respectively), and in addition, MLL2 carriers obviously showed more frequently a typical facial gestalt (17/19) compared with non-carriers (9/15), although this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). Mutation-negative patients were subsequently tested for mutations in ten functional candidate genes (e.g. MLL, ASC2, ASH2L, and WDR5), but no convincing causative mutations could be found. Our results indicate that MLL2 is the major gene for Kabuki syndrome with a wide spectrum of de novo mutations and strongly suggest further genetic heterogeneity

Autonomous Self-Optimization of Coverage and Capacity in LTE Cellular Networks

Mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly (MFDM) is a rare sporadic syndrome comprising craniofacial malformations, microcephaly, developmental delay, and a recognizable dysmorphic appearance. Major sequelae, including choanal atresia, sensorineural hearing loss, and cleft palate, each occur in a significant proportion of affected individuals. We present detailed clinical findings in 12 unrelated individuals with MFDM; these 12 individuals compose the largest reported cohort to date. To define the etiology of MFDM, we employed whole-exome sequencing of four unrelated affected individuals and identified heterozygous mutations or deletions of EFTUD2 in all four. Validation studies of eight additional individuals with MFDM demonstrated causative EFTUD2 mutations in all affected individuals tested. A range of EPTUD2-mutation types, including null alleles and frameshifts, is seen in MFDM, consistent with haploinsufficiency; segregation is de novo in all cases assessed to date. U5-116kD, the protein encoded by EFTUD2, is a highly conserved spliceosomal GTPase with a central regulatory role in catalytic splicing and post-splicing-complex disassembly. MFDM is the fast multiple-malformation syndrome attributed to a defect of the major spliceosome. Our findings significantly extend the range of reported spliceosomal phenotypes in humans and pave the way for further investigation in related conditions such as Treacher Collins syndrome.government of Canada through Genome Canadagovernment of Canada through Genome CanadaCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)Ontario Genomics InstituteOntario Genomics Institute [OGI-049]Genome QuebecGenome QuebecGenome British ColumbiaGenome British ColumbiaPhysicians Services Incorporated FoundationPhysicians' Services Incorporated FoundationGerman Ministry of Research and Education [BMBF 01GM0802]German Ministry of Education and ResearchCIHR Institute of GeneticsCIHR Institute of Genetic

SPRED2 loss-of-function causes a recessive Noonan syndrome-like phenotype

Upregulated signal flow through RAS and the mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is the unifying mechanistic theme of the RASopathies, a family of disorders affecting development and growth. Pathogenic variants in more than 20 genes have been causally linked to RASopathies, the majority having a dominant role in promoting enhanced signaling. Here, we report that SPRED2 loss of function is causally linked to a recessive phenotype evocative of Noonan syndrome. Homozygosity for three different variants-c.187C>T (p.Arg63∗), c.299T>C (p.Leu100Pro), and c.1142_1143delTT (p.Leu381Hisfs∗95)-were identified in four subjects from three families. All variants severely affected protein stability, causing accelerated degradation, and variably perturbed SPRED2 functional behavior. When overexpressed in cells, all variants were unable to negatively modulate EGF-promoted RAF1, MEK, and ERK phosphorylation, and time-course experiments in primary fibroblasts (p.Leu100Pro and p.Leu381Hisfs∗95) documented an increased and prolonged activation of the MAPK cascade in response to EGF stimulation. Morpholino-mediated knockdown of spred2a and spred2b in zebrafish induced defects in convergence and extension cell movements indicating upregulated RAS-MAPK signaling, which were rescued by expressing wild-type SPRED2 but not the SPRED2Leu381Hisfs∗95 protein. The clinical phenotype of the four affected individuals included developmental delay, intellectual disability, cardiac defects, short stature, skeletal anomalies, and a typical facial gestalt as major features, without the occurrence of the distinctive skin signs characterizing Legius syndrome. These features, in part, characterize the phenotype of Spred2-/- mice. Our findings identify the second recessive form of Noonan syndrome and document pleiotropic consequences of SPRED2 loss of function in development.s