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Głowska-Ciemny J, Szymanski M, Kuszerska A, Rzepka R, von Kaisenberg CS, Kocyłowski R. Role of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in Diagnosing Childhood Cancers and Genetic-Related Chronic Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4302. [PMID: 37686577 PMCID: PMC10486785 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein commonly found during fetal development, but its role extends beyond birth. Throughout the first year of life, AFP levels can remain high, which can potentially mask various conditions from the neurological, metabolic, hematological, endocrine, and early childhood cancer groups. Although AFP reference values and clinical utility have been established in adults, evaluating AFP levels in children during the diagnostic process, treatment, and post-treatment surveillance is still associated with numerous diagnostic pitfalls. These challenges arise from the presence of physiologically elevated AFP levels, inconsistent data obtained from different laboratory tests, and the limited population of children with oncologic diseases that have been studied. To address these issues, it is essential to establish updated reference ranges for AFP in this specific age group. A population-based study involving a statistically representative group of patients could serve as a valuable solution for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Głowska-Ciemny
- PreMediCare Prenatal Research Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.K.)
- New Med Medical Center, ul. Szamotulska 100, 60-566 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Szymanski
- PreMediCare Prenatal Research Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Agata Kuszerska
- PreMediCare Prenatal Research Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.K.)
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland;
| | - Rafał Rzepka
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland;
| | - Constantin S. von Kaisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Rafał Kocyłowski
- PreMediCare Prenatal Research Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.K.)
- New Med Medical Center, ul. Szamotulska 100, 60-566 Poznań, Poland
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Lacorte E, Piscopo P, Sagliocca L, Vignatelli L, Taruscio D, Vanacore N. The National Italian Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of children with pediatric ataxias. Front Neurol 2022; 13:971781. [PMID: 36267884 PMCID: PMC9577293 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.971781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ataxia is a rare neurological condition causing a deficit in the coordination of motor activities, preventing the fluidity of movements. Children with ataxia may show several different ataxic signs, along with difficulties in walking autonomously and ataxic gait often associated with trunk instability. Ataxic signs can be either acute or chronic, and in either case, the diagnosis can be extremely complex. Symptoms and their etiology are often widely heterogeneous, even within the same condition. Methods The guideline was developed based on the methodology defined by the Methodological Handbook of the Italian National Guideline System (SNLG) and was reported following the AGREE-II checklist. The SNLG methodology required the adoption of the GRADE approach for the whole development process. To facilitate the implementation of the contents and recommendations from the guideline, two care pathways were developed based on the NICE and the European Pathway Association (EPA) models. Results The guideline included 28 clinical questions, 4 on the identification and management of acute ataxias, and 24 on the diagnosis and management of chronic ataxias. The document included 44 recommendations, 37 clinical recommendations, and 7 recommendations for research. Conclusion The working group, despite the lack and methodological limitations of the evidence, deemed as essential to provide indications and recommendations, in particular in some clinically relevant areas. The care pathway was produced as a tool to facilitate the implementation of the contents and recommendations. The interactive version of the pathway is available on the SNLG website along with a leaflet dedicated to families and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Lacorte
- Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Piscopo
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Piscopo
| | | | - Luca Vignatelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenica Taruscio
- National Center for Rare Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Serrallach BL, Orman G, Boltshauser E, Hackenberg A, Desai NK, Kralik SF, Huisman TAGM. Neuroimaging in cerebellar ataxia in childhood: A review. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:825-851. [PMID: 35749078 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxia is one of the most common pediatric movement disorders and can be caused by a large number of congenital and acquired diseases affecting the cerebellum or the vestibular or sensory system. It is mainly characterized by gait abnormalities, dysmetria, intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. In young children, ataxia may manifest as the inability or refusal to walk. The diagnostic approach begins with a careful clinical history including the temporal evolution of ataxia and the inquiry of additional symptoms, is followed by a meticulous physical examination, and, depending on the results, is complemented by laboratory assays, electroencephalography, nerve conduction velocity, lumbar puncture, toxicology screening, genetic testing, and neuroimaging. Neuroimaging plays a pivotal role in either providing the final diagnosis, narrowing the differential diagnosis, or planning targeted further workup. In this review, we will focus on the most common form of ataxia in childhood, cerebellar ataxia (CA). We will discuss and summarize the neuroimaging findings of either the most common or the most important causes of CA in childhood or present causes of pediatric CA with pathognomonic findings on MRI. The various pediatric CAs will be categorized and presented according to (a) the cause of ataxia (acquired/disruptive vs. inherited/genetic) and (b) the temporal evolution of symptoms (acute/subacute, chronic, progressive, nonprogressive, and recurrent). In addition, several illustrative cases with their key imaging findings will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina L Serrallach
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gunes Orman
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eugen Boltshauser
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annette Hackenberg
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nilesh K Desai
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen F Kralik
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thierry A G M Huisman
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Genetic and Clinical Predictors of Ataxia in Pediatric Primary Mitochondrial Disorders. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 21:116-131. [PMID: 34052969 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01276-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of ataxia in children is challenging in clinical practice. This is particularly true for highly heterogeneous conditions such as primary mitochondrial disorders (PMD). This study aims to explore cerebellar and brain abnormalities identified on MRI as potential predictors of ataxia in patients with PMD and, likewise, to determine the effect of the patient's genetic profile on these predictors as well as determination of the temporal relationship of clinical ataxia with MRI findings. We evaluated clinical, radiological, and genetic characteristics of 111 PMD patients younger than 21 years of age at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Data was extracted from charts. Blinded radiological evaluations were carried out by experienced neuroradiologists. Multivariate logistic regression and generalized equation estimates were used for analysis. Ataxia was identified in 41% of patients. Cerebellar atrophy or putaminal involvement with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p < 0.001) and nuclear DNA mutation with no atrophy of the cerebellum (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.0-1.3, p = 0.007) predicted an increased likelihood of having ataxia per year of age. Central tegmental tract predicted the presence of ataxia independent of age and pathogenic variant origin (OR 9.8, 95% CI 2-74, p = 0.009). Ataxia tended to precede the imaging finding of cerebellar atrophy. Cerebellar atrophy and putaminal involvement on MRI of pediatric-onset PMD may predict the presence of ataxia with age in patients with mtDNA mutations. This study provides predicted probabilities of having ataxia per year of age that may help in family counseling and future research of the population.
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Summa S, Tartarisco G, Favetta M, Buzachis A, Romano A, Bernava GM, Sancesario A, Vasco G, Pioggia G, Petrarca M, Castelli E, Bertini E, Schirinzi T. Validation of low-cost system for gait assessment in children with ataxia. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2020; 196:105705. [PMID: 32846316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2020.105705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ataxic syndromes include several rare, inherited and acquired conditions. One of the main issues is the absence of specific, and sensitive automatic evaluation tools and digital outcome measures to obtain a continuous monitoring of subjects' motor ability. OBJECTIVES This study aims to test the usability of the Kinect system for assessing ataxia severity, exploring the potentiality of clustering algorithms and validating this system with a standard motion capture system. METHODS Gait evaluation was performed by standardized gait analysis and by Kinect v2 during the same day in a cohort of young patient (mean age of 13.8±7.2). We analyzed the gait spatio-temporal parameters and we looked at the differences between the two systems through correlation and agreement tests. As well, we tested for possible correlations with the SARA scale as well. Finally, standard classification algorithm and principal components analysis were used to discern disease severity and groups. RESULTS We found biases and linear relationships between all the parameters. Significant correlations emerged between the SARA and the Speed, the Stride Length and the Step Length. PCA results, highlighting that a machine learning approach combined with Kinect-based evaluation shows great potential to automatically assess disease severity and diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The spatio-temporal parameters measured by Kinect cannot be used interchangeably with those parameters acquired with standard motion capture system in clinical practice but can still provide fundamental information. Specifically, these results might bring to the development of a novel system to perform easy and quick evaluation of gait in young patients with ataxia, useful for patients stratification in terms of clinical severity and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Summa
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Tartarisco
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Messina, Italy.
| | - M Favetta
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - A Buzachis
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Messina, Italy.
| | - A Romano
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - G M Bernava
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Messina, Italy.
| | - A Sancesario
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Vasco
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Pioggia
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Messina, Italy.
| | - M Petrarca
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Castelli
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscolar and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - T Schirinzi
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department Systems Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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Summa S, Schirinzi T, Favetta M, Romano A, Minosse S, Diodato D, Olivieri G, Martinelli D, Sancesario A, Zanni G, Castelli E, Bertini E, Petrarca M, Vasco G. A wearable video-oculography based evaluation of saccades and respective clinical correlates in patients with early onset ataxia. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 338:108697. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Gana S, Valente EM. Movement Disorders in Genetic Pediatric Ataxias. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2020; 7:383-393. [PMID: 32373654 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic pediatric ataxias are heterogeneous rare disorders, mainly inherited as autosomal-recessive traits. Most forms are progressive and lack effective treatment, with relevant socioeconomical impact. Albeit ataxia represents the main clinical feature, the phenotype can be more complex, with additional neurological and nonneurological signs being described in several forms. Methods and Results In this review, we provide an overview of the occurrence and spectrum of movement disorders in the most relevant forms of childhood-onset genetic ataxias. All types of hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders of variable severity have been reported. Movement disorders occasionally represent the symptom of onset, predating ataxia even of a few years and therefore challenging an early diagnosis. Their pathogenesis still remains poorly defined, as it is not yet clear whether movement disorders may directly relate to the cerebellar pathology or result from an extracerebellar dysfunction, including the basal ganglia. Conclusion Recognition of the complete movement disorder phenotype in genetic pediatric ataxias has important implications for diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enza Maria Valente
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine University of Pavia Pavia Italy
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Ferreira GC, Oberstaller J, Fonseca R, Keller TE, Adapa SR, Gibbons J, Wang C, Liu X, Li C, Pham M, Dayhoff Ii GW, Duong LM, Reyes LT, Laratelli LE, Franz D, Fatumo S, Bari AG, Freischel A, Fiedler L, Dokur O, Sharma K, Cragun D, Busby B, Jiang RHY. Iron Hack - A symposium/hackathon focused on porphyrias, Friedreich's ataxia, and other rare iron-related diseases. F1000Res 2019; 8:1135. [PMID: 31824661 PMCID: PMC6894363 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19140.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Basic and clinical scientific research at the University of South Florida (USF) have intersected to support a multi-faceted approach around a common focus on rare iron-related diseases. We proposed a modified version of the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) Hackathon-model to take full advantage of local expertise in building “Iron Hack”, a rare disease-focused hackathon. As the collaborative, problem-solving nature of hackathons tends to attract participants of highly-diverse backgrounds, organizers facilitated a symposium on rare iron-related diseases, specifically porphyrias and Friedreich’s ataxia, pitched at general audiences. Methods: The hackathon was structured to begin each day with presentations by expert clinicians, genetic counselors, researchers focused on molecular and cellular biology, public health/global health, genetics/genomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, biomolecular science, bioengineering, and computer science, as well as guest speakers from the American Porphyria Foundation (APF) and Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) to inform participants as to the human impact of these diseases. Results: As a result of this hackathon, we developed resources that are relevant not only to these specific disease-models, but also to other rare diseases and general bioinformatics problems. Within two and a half days, “Iron Hack” participants successfully built collaborative projects to visualize data, build databases, improve rare disease diagnosis, and study rare-disease inheritance. Conclusions: The purpose of this manuscript is to demonstrate the utility of a hackathon model to generate prototypes of generalizable tools for a given disease and train clinicians and data scientists to interact more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria C Ferreira
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, MDC 7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jenna Oberstaller
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Renée Fonseca
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Thomas E Keller
- University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Swamy Rakesh Adapa
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Justin Gibbons
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Chang Li
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Minh Pham
- Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT100, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Guy W Dayhoff Ii
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHE 205, Tampa, FL, 33620-5250, USA
| | - Linh M Duong
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.,Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Luis Tañón Reyes
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, ISA 2015 Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Luciano Enrique Laratelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHE 205, Tampa, FL, 33620-5250, USA
| | - Douglas Franz
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CHE 205, Tampa, FL, 33620-5250, USA
| | - Segun Fatumo
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM (Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Atm Golam Bari
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Lindsey Fiedler
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Omkar Dokur
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Deborah Cragun
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ben Busby
- National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894-6075, USA
| | - Rays H Y Jiang
- Global and Planetary Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, USF Genomics Program, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
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