An epigenetic clock for gestational age based on human umbilical vein endothelial cells from a diverse population of newborns

Background

Epigenetic clocks are emerging as a useful tool in many areas of research. Many epigenetic clocks have been developed for adults; however, there are fewer clocks focused on newborns and most are trained using blood from European ancestry populations. In this study, we built an epigenetic clock based on primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells from a racially and ethnically diverse population.

Results

Using human umbilical vein endothelial cell [HUVEC]-derived DNA, we calculated epigenetic gestational age using 83 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression. In this study with newborns from different racial/ethnic identities, epigenetic gestational age and clinical gestational age were more highly correlated (r = 0.85), than epigenetic clocks built from adult and other pediatric populations. The correlation was also higher than clocks based on blood samples from newborns with European ancestry. We also found that birth weight was positively associated with epigenetic gestational age acceleration (EGAA), while NICU admission was associated with lower EGAA. Newborns self-identified as Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black had lower EGAA than self-identified as non-Hispanic White.

Conclusions

Epigenetic gestational age can be used to estimate clinical gestational age and may help index neonatal development. Caution should be exercised when using epigenetic clocks built from adults with children, especially newborns. We highlight the importance of cell type-specific epigenetic clocks and general pan tissue epigenetic clocks derived from a large racially and ethnically diverse population.

Endobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a pediatric patient: A case report

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an uncommon type of salivary gland tumor that can present as an endobronchial neoplasm, most commonly in the adult population. Neuroendocrine carcinoid tumors comprise the majority of bronchial neoplasms in the pediatric population and are nearly indistinguishable from MEC on imaging. We present a rare case of MEC in a 3-year-old presenting with recurrent symptoms of lower airway obstruction and discuss its typical associated symptoms and imaging features.

Case Report: Unmanipulated Matched Sibling Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation In TBX1 Congenital Athymia: A Lifesaving Therapeutic Approach When Facing a Systemic Viral Infection

Congenital athymia can present with severe T cell lymphopenia (TCL) in the newborn period, which can be detected by decreased T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) on newborn screening (NBS). The most common thymic stromal defect causing selective TCL is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). T-box transcription factor 1 (TBX1), present on chromosome 22, is responsible for thymic epithelial development. Single variants in TBX1 causing haploinsufficiency cause a clinical syndrome that mimics 22q11.2DS. Definitive therapy for congenital athymia is allogeneic thymic transplantation. However, universal availability of such therapy is limited. We present a patient with early diagnosis of congenital athymia due to TBX1 haploinsufficiency. While evaluating for thymic transplantation, she developed Omenn Syndrome (OS) and life-threatening adenoviremia. Despite treatment with anti-virals and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), life threatening adenoviremia persisted. Given the imminent need for rapid establishment of T cell immunity and viral clearance, the patient underwent an unmanipulated matched sibling donor (MSD) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), ultimately achieving post-thymic donor-derived engraftment, viral clearance, and immune reconstitution. This case illustrates that because of the slower immune recovery that occurs following thymus transplantation and the restricted availability of thymus transplantation globally, clinicians may consider CTL therapy and HCT to treat congenital athymia patients with severe infections.

Tiny Bodies, Big Needs: Prospective Biobanking of Neonatal Clinical Remnant Samples

Repurposing biological samples collected for required diagnostic purposes into suitable biobanking projects is a particularly useful method for enabling research in vulnerable populations. This approach is especially appropriate for the neonate in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where blood volume reductions can quickly increase beyond minimal risk for adverse events, such as iatrogenic anemia, and proxy consent provided by parents or guardians is required. The method described in this study provides a framework to prospectively collect and store blood-derived clinical samples after all clinical and regulatory requirements are fulfilled. The consent approach incorporated a 30-day window to allow parents and guardians ample consideration time with follow-up involvement with NICU embedded study team members. The study enrolled 875 participants over a 3-year period. This established a critically needed biobank to support investigator-initiated research with explicit study aims requiring samples at defined day of life frequencies within the NICU and created a normative control reference bank for case comparisons for premature and full-term neonates with brain injury.

TRIM28 congenital predisposition to Wilms' tumor: novel mutations and presentation in a sibling pair

Wilms’ tumor is the most common renal malignancy in children. In addition to staging, molecular risk stratification, such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in Chromosomes 1 and 16, is being increasingly used. Although genetic predisposition syndromes have been well-characterized in some Wilms’ tumors, recent sequencing and biology efforts are expanding the classification of this malignancy. Here we present a case of siblings with remarkably similar presentations of bilateral Wilms’ tumor at ∼12 mo of age. Thorough exam after the younger sibling was diagnosed did not reveal any signs to suggest one of the known Wilms’ predisposition syndromes. Both were treated with standard therapies with good response and long-term sustained complete remission of 53 and 97 mo, respectively. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on a tumor sample from each patient and matched blood from one, revealing a shared truncation mutation of TRIM28 in all three samples with heterozygosity in the germline sample. TRIM28 loss has been recently implicated in early-stage Wilms’ tumors with epithelioid morphology. These siblings expand the phenotype for presentation with multifocal disease with retained excellent response to standard therapy.

Solitary Duodenal Ulcer Causing Biliary Obstruction Requiring Rendezvous Procedure in a Pediatric Patient With Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is an uncommon disease characterized by immune cell-mediated inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract resulting in vague abdominal symptoms, most commonly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. We report the case of a 16-year-old male presenting with a six-week history of progressive pruritus, jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, acholic stools, and dark-colored urine. This patient was diagnosed via endoscopy with biliary obstruction caused by a large, solitary, duodenal ulcer secondary to EGE. This is a severe complication of EGE and to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of biliary obstruction caused by a duodenal ulcer in a pediatric patient with EGE. Additionally, we describe the first pediatric combined percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous technique after failed therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) to relieve the biliary obstruction.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma in a child with trisomy 21

Subcutaneous Panniculitis-Like T-cell Lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare lymphoma with fewer than twenty cases reported in children less than 18 years of age. Trisomy 21 is a chromosomal abnormality associated with a risk of malignancy that differs from their normal counterparts. Leukemia is diagnosed 10-20 times over the general population while solid tumors are underrepresented. The risk for Lymphoma historically has been elevated as well. We describe a case of a 3 year-old girl with Down syndrome who was successfully treated for SPTCL.

Histologic assessment of thermal injury to tonsillectomy specimens: a comparison of electrocautery, coblation, harmonic scalpel, and tonsillotome

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To determine the extent of thermal injury to the tonsillar tissue following the use of various types of instrumentation. To determine if tonsillectomy specimens routinely contain tissue other than lymphoid tissue.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective histologic analysis.

METHODS

A histologic analysis performed on 228 tonsillectomy specimens removed by use of an electrocautery in 132 specimens, harmonic scalpel in 46, coblation device in 24, and a tonsillotome in 26. The specimens were evaluated for presence and percentage of skeletal muscle and depth of thermal tissue injury.

RESULTS

The mean percentage of skeletal muscle present in the specimens was 0.79% for electrocautery, 1.74% for harmonic scalpel, 0.97% for coblation device, and 1.66% for the tonsillotome. Skeletal muscle was absent in only 8 of 228 specimens (3.5%). Electrocautery has a statistically significant (P < .05) lower percentage of muscle tissue compared to harmonic scalpel and the tonsillotome. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean depth of thermal injury among the harmonic scalpel (0.68 mm), electrocautery (0.58 mm), and coblation device (0.71 mm) specimens. The tonsillotome specimens had no thermal injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Attempts to remove the entire tonsil results in a similar depth of thermal injury to tonsillectomy specimens when using the harmonic scalpel, electrocautery, and coblation device. Skeletal muscle is a nearly ubiquitous finding in routine tonsillectomy specimens. The use of an electrocautery with a needle point may allow for a more precise dissection as it results in tonsillectomy specimens with a smaller percentage of muscle present.

Novel pathologic findings associated with urinary retention in a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB; Sanfilippo syndrome type B) is a metabolic disorder with devastating clinical characteristics starting in early childhood and leading to premature death. A knockout mouse strain was developed that models this disease. Mice of the strain B6.129S6- Naglu(tm1Efn)/J are invaluable for investigating pathogenesis and possible treatment modalities. However, the mouse strain also exhibits some objectionable phenotypic features. One such feature, urinary retention, not only is atypical of human MPS IIIB but often leads to early termination of experiments due to animal welfare concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate abnormalities associated with the urinary retention. Necropsies were performed on 9-mo-old mice; urinalysis, hematology and blood chemistry parameters were evaluated, and urogenital specimens were microscopically examined. Histopathologic examinations of urinary tract specimens proved illuminating regarding pathology in the urinary tract. A large mononuclear cell infiltrate was discovered in mutant mice of both sexes, more pronounced in females compared with male mice. The infiltrate comprises of large rounded or polygonal cells with generous variably vacuolated, granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and small round vesicular nuclei. These cells were present throughout and expand the interstitium of the lower urinary tract. Either this results in extrinsic compression of the lumen of the urethra, eventually leading to obstructive uropathy, bladder hyperdistension, and urinary retention or possibly interferes with the neurogenic component of micturition needs to be further investigated. The novel finding of an unexpected mononuclear cell infiltrate in the urinary tract in the knockout mice B6.129S6- Naglu(tm1Efn)/J is reported.

Clinicopathologic conference: Pulmonary tumor in a thirteen-year-old child

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor as a distinct clinicopathologic entity in the lung has gained wide acceptance. The majority of these tumors are either contained within a single segment or pulmonary lobe and may cross the interlobar fissure and/or extend into the mediastinum, especially if arising in a perihilar location. We describe the case of a 13-year-old male with a 4-year history of an unresponsive lung mass in the left hemithorax. The resected tumor showed the typical morphology of a fasciculated fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lesion.

Obstruction in Modified Blalock Shunts: A Quantitative Analysis With Clinical Correlation

BACKGROUND

Despite numerous reports describing the clinical course of patients undergoing a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS), there is limited information on shunt obstruction. No studies have quantified MBTS stenosis histopathologically and correlated that with demographic and clinical risk factors.

METHODS

From June 2001 to June 2003, 155 patients had MBTS takedown. The shunt operation (at median age 6 days; shunt size 3.5 mm in 56 [36%]; 4 mm in 84 [54%]; 5 mm in 15 [10%]) was performed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 96 patients (62%). At elective takedown (at median 8.1 months), the shunt was excised and histopathologically analyzed for maximal narrowing. Demographics and clinical variables including age, weight, shunt size and duration, diagnosis, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, blood products, anastomosis sites, and concomitant antegrade flow were then tested for correlation with shunt stenosis.

RESULTS

The mean value for maximal narrowing of the shunt lumen was 34% +/- 22%, and 32 patients (21%) had greater than 50% stenosis. Myofibroblastic proliferation, often associated with organized thrombus, caused the obstruction. Smaller shunt size (<4 mm) was a statistically significant risk factor for stenosis greater than 50% (odds ratio [OR] = 2.51; p = 0.028). Other variables that showed a clinically important association with obstruction but did not reach statistical significance included age less than 14 days at shunt (OR = 2.08, confidence interval [CI] 0.8 to 5.2), shunt on bypass (OR = 2.07, CI 0.9 to 4.8), and platelet use at shunt operation (OR = 1.96, CI 0.9 to 4.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Most MBTS develop stenosis by the time of takedown, and 21% have greater than 50% obstruction. Shunt size less than 4 mm is a risk factor for high-grade stenosis. Younger age, CPB, and use of platelets are other clinically important factors. Better conduits and suppression of intimal proliferation could potentially improve outcomes.

Presence of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts at the end of therapy for pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma: implications for the outcome

The presence of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts at the end of therapy for rhabdomyosarcoma has been noted. This study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic implications of the presence of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts at the end of therapy for pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma. Six patients with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma (bladder-prostate, 4; vulvovaginal, 2) with disease diagnosed between the years 1974 and 1992 were sequentially investigated by cystoscopic or vaginoscopic examination and biopsy during and after completing therapy. All six patients received treatment according to prevailing therapeutic protocols. Biopsy material from all six patients at the end of therapy documented the presence of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts. Repeated biopsies demonstrated the presence of rhabdomyoblasts; however, they appeared to decrease in number with time. Mitotic activity was not observed in the biopsy materials obtained. All six patients are alive without evidence of disease from 37 to 233 months after therapy ended. The presence of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts at the end of therapy for pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma is a common finding. The biologic nature of these well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts is not completely known, but they do not appear to connote the persistent presence of malignant disease and are not an indication for the continuation of therapy.

Pathology review of screening negative neuroblastomas: a report from the Quebec Neuroblastoma Screening Project

BACKGROUND

The Quebec Neuroblastoma Screening (QNS) Project completed a 5-year program for measuring urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)/homovanillic acid (HVA) levels at age 3 weeks and/or 6 months in 89% of 476,603 Quebec-born infants from 1989-1994; 45 screening positive preclinical cases (S-positive cases) and 20 congenital/neonatal (C/N) cases were identified. As of April 1997, an additional 59 cases in the same birth cohort were diagnosed clinically; these neuroblastomas developed after screening verified normal VMA/HVA levels (S-negative cases).

METHODS

Pathology specimens from 45 of 59 S-negative cases were reviewed centrally and classified according to the Shimada system. Results were compared with clinical data and also with S-positive and C/N cases.

RESULTS

Of 45 S-negative cases, 27 tumors had favorable histology (FH) and 18 had unfavorable histology (UH). Approximately 52% of FH tumors were diagnosed before age 1 year, whereas UH tumors were nearly exclusively (94%) diagnosed after age 1 year (P < 0.01). Approximately 89% of FH tumors were Stage I, II, or IV-S, whereas 72% UH tumors were Stage III or IV (P < 0.001). All children with FH tumors were alive at last follow-up (range of follow-up period: 9-79 months; median, 35 months), whereas 8 children with UH tumors died of disease even after limited follow-up (range of follow-up period: 0-60 months; median, 20 months). By contrast, S-positive and C/N cases were predominantly (97%) FH tumors, often (76%) Stage I, II, or IV-S, with excellent clinical outcome (survival rate of 98%).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the UH neuroblastomas that developed in the birth cohort of the QNS Project were included in the group of S-negative cases and could not be detected by the screening at age 3 weeks and/or 6 months.

Locally infiltrative glomus tumors and glomangiosarcomas. A clinical, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical study

Six cases of locally aggressive and/or potentially malignant glomus tumors are described. On the basis of clinical and pathologic criteria, the following classification is proposed. The first category is a locally infiltrative glomus tumor (LIGT) which has the usual glomus histologic features. The second group is a cytologically malignant tumor arising and merging with a typical glomus tumor, designated glomangiosarcoma arising in a benign glomus (GABG). The third category and the most difficult to recognize is the de novo glomangiosarcoma (GADN), which must be distinguished from other round cell sarcomas. Most of these locally aggressive glomus tumors are vimentin positive and are immunoreactive for muscle-specific actin. Electron microscopic examination in one GABG case showed cells with numerous microfilaments and pinocytotic vesicles; a second GADN case contained cells with microfilaments and an incomplete basal lamina. As a group these locally aggressive or potentially malignant glomus tumors are larger and more deeply located than the conventional glomus tumor. Although 50% of these tumors recurred locally, none have metastasized.

Locally infiltrative glomus tumors and glomangiosarcomas. A clinical, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical study

Six cases of locally aggressive and/or potentially malignant glomus tumors are described. On the basis of clinical and pathologic criteria, the following classification is proposed. The first category is a locally infiltrative glomus tumor (LIGT) which has the usual glomus histologic features. The second group is a cytologically malignant tumor arising and merging with a typical glomus tumor, designated glomangiosarcoma arising in a benign glomus (GABG). The third category and the most difficult to recognize is the de novo glomangiosarcoma (GADN), which must be distinguished from other round cell sarcomas. Most of these locally aggressive glomus tumors are vimentin positive and are immunoreactive for muscle-specific actin. Electron microscopic examination in one GABG case showed cells with numerous microfilaments and pinocytotic vesicles; a second GADN case contained cells with microfilaments and an incomplete basal lamina. As a group these locally aggressive or potentially malignant glomus tumors are larger and more deeply located than the conventional glomus tumor. Although 50% of these tumors recurred locally, none have metastasized.

Locally infiltrative glomus tumors and glomangiosarcomas. A clinical, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical study

Six cases of locally aggressive and/or potentially malignant glomus tumors are described. On the basis of clinical and pathologic criteria, the following classification is proposed. The first category is a locally infiltrative glomus tumor (LIGT) which has the usual glomus histologic features. The second group is a cytologically malignant tumor arising and merging with a typical glomus tumor, designated glomangiosarcoma arising in a benign glomus (GABG). The third category and the most difficult to recognize is the de novo glomangiosarcoma (GADN), which must be distinguished from other round cell sarcomas. Most of these locally aggressive glomus tumors are vimentin positive and are immunoreactive for muscle-specific actin. Electron microscopic examination in one GABG case showed cells with numerous microfilaments and pinocytotic vesicles; a second GADN case contained cells with microfilaments and an incomplete basal lamina. As a group these locally aggressive or potentially malignant glomus tumors are larger and more deeply located than the conventional glomus tumor. Although 50% of these tumors recurred locally, none have metastasized.

C-cell hyperplasia in thyroid tissue adjacent to follicular cell tumors

An immunohistochemical study was conducted on the number and distribution of C-cells in the nonneoplastic thyroid tissue adjacent to tumors of follicular cell origin. It consisted of 49 cases, of which 25 were papillary carcinomas, 22 were follicular adenomas, and 2 were follicular carcinomas. Twenty normal adult thyroids from the Broward's Medical Examiner's morgue served as controls. In 17 of the 49 cases (34.6%), there was a statistically significant increase in the number of C-cells in the normal-appearing thyroid tissue adjacent to follicular cell tumors, with at least 50 C-cells in one low power field, while only one of 20 normal thyroids had a similar number of cells. (P = .02; chi 2 = 5.05). In two tumor cases there were more than 100 C-cells in several low power fields with formation of small C-cell nodules similar to those described in the type II Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome (MEN). It was concluded that the nonneoplastic thyroid tissue adjacent to 34.6% of tumors with follicular cell phenotypes contains significantly more C-cells than those present in normal adult thyroids. The possible pathogenesis and clinical significance of these findings are discussed.

Spinal cord tumors presenting with neural tube defects

Two primary lumbosacral tumors arising at the site of neural tube defects are presented. One was a teratoma diagnosed in an infant with myelomeningocele. The other was an ependymoma that developed in an adult with meningocele. It is postulated that these cases represent a neoplastic transformation of heterotopic primordial elements that have been incorporated within the defect, supporting the view that overgrowth of neural tissue may be the result rather than the cause of neural tube deformity. Such rare occurrences may be due to interaction between intrauterine teratogenic factors and familial predisposition in affected patients.