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Hu J, Zeng L, Hu R, Gong D, Liu M, Ding J. TENT5A Increases Glioma Malignancy and Promotes its Progression. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2024; 19:PRA-EPUB-137126. [PMID: 38204269 DOI: 10.2174/0115748928280901231206102637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies reported that terminal nucleotidyltransferase 5A (TENT5A) is highly expressed in glioblastoma and associated with poor prognosis. In this work, we aim to specify the expression level of TENT5A in different grades of glioma and explore its role in glioma progression. METHODS GEPIA online tools were used to perform the bioinformatic analysis. qRT-PCR, Western blot, and Immunohistochemistry were performed in glioma cells or tissues. Furthermore, CCK8, colony formation, transwell, flow cytometry and scratch assays were performed. RESULTS TENT5A was highly expressed in glioma and its level was associated with the pathological grade of glioma. Knockdown of TENT5A suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation ability, cell invasion and migration. Overexpression of TENT5A was lethal to the glioma cells. CONCLUSION Our data showed that the expression of TENT5A is associated with the pathological grade of glioma. Knockdown of TENT5A decreased the ability of proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells. High levels of TENT5A in glioma cells are lethal. Therefore, TENT5A could be a new target for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Lei Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Ronghuan Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Dan Gong
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianwu Ding
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
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2
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Id-Lahoucine S, Cánovas A, Legarra A, Casellas J. Transmission ratio distortion regions in the context of genomic evaluation and their effects on reproductive traits in cattle. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:7786-7798. [PMID: 37210358 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Transmission ratio distortion (TRD), which is a deviation from Mendelian expectations, has been associated with basic mechanisms of life such as sperm and ova fertility and viability at developmental stages of the reproductive cycle. In this study different models including TRD regions were tested for different reproductive traits [days from first service to conception (FSTC), number of services, first service nonreturn rate (NRR), and stillbirth (SB)]. Thus, in addition to a basic model with systematic and random effects, including genetic effects modeled through a genomic relationship matrix, we developed 2 additional models, including a second genomic relationship matrix based on TRD regions, and TRD regions as a random effect assuming heterogeneous variances. The analyses were performed with 10,623 cows and 1,520 bulls genotyped for 47,910 SNPs, 590 TRD regions, and several records ranging from 9,587 (FSTC) to 19,667 (SB). The results of this study showed the ability of TRD regions to capture some additional genetic variance for some traits; however, this did not translate into higher accuracy for genomic prediction. This could be explained by the nature of TRD itself, which may arise in different stages of the reproductive cycle. Nevertheless, important effects of TRD regions were found on SB (31 regions) and NRR (18 regions) when comparing at-risk versus control matings, especially for regions with allelic TRD pattern. Particularly for NRR, the probability of observing nonpregnant cow increases by up to 27% for specific TRD regions, and the probability of observing stillbirth increased by up to 254%. These results support the relevance of several TRD regions on some reproductive traits, especially those with allelic patterns that have not received as much attention as recessive TRD patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Id-Lahoucine
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - A Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, ON, Canada.
| | - A Legarra
- INRAE, UR631 SAGA, BP 52627, 32326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - J Casellas
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Spain
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Marion SB, Noor MAF. Interrogating the Roles of Mutation-Selection Balance, Heterozygote Advantage, and Linked Selection in Maintaining Recessive Lethal Variation in Natural Populations. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:77-91. [PMID: 36315650 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050422-092520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
For nearly a century, evolutionary biologists have observed chromosomes that cause lethality when made homozygous persisting at surprisingly high frequencies (>25%) in natural populations of many species. The evolutionary forces responsible for the maintenance of such detrimental mutations have been heavily debated-are some lethal mutations under balancing selection? We suggest that mutation-selection balance alone cannot explain lethal variation in nature and the possibility that other forces play a role. We review the potential that linked selection in particular may drive maintenance of lethal alleles through associative overdominance or linkage to beneficial mutations or by reducing effective population size. Over the past five decades, investigation into this mystery has tapered. During this time, key scientific advances have provided the ability to collect more accurate data and analyze them in new ways, making the underlying genetic bases and evolutionary forces of lethal alleles timely for study once more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Marion
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; ,
| | - Mohamed A F Noor
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; ,
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4
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Ashtiwi NM, Sarr D, Nagy T, Reneer ZB, Tripp RA, Rada B. The Hypothiocyanite and Amantadine Combination Treatment Prevents Lethal Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:859033. [PMID: 35663985 PMCID: PMC9159274 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.859033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza virus has a large clinical burden and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The development of effective drugs for the treatment or prevention of influenza is important in order to reduce its impact. Adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors are two classes of anti-influenza drugs in which resistance has developed; thus, there is an urgent need to explore new therapeutic options. Boosting antiviral innate immune mechanisms in the airways represents an attractive approach. Hypothiocyanite (OSCN−) is produced by the airway epithelium and is effective in reducing the replication of several influenza A virus strains in vitro. It remains, however, largely unexplored whether OSCN− has such an antiviral effect in vivo. Here we determined the therapeutic potential of OSCN−, alone or in combination with amantadine (AMT), in preventing lethal influenza A virus replication in mice and in vitro. Mice intranasally infected with a lethal dose of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) or A/Hong Kong/8/1968 (H3N2) were cured by the combination treatment of OSCN− and AMT. Monotherapy with OSCN− or AMT alone did not substantially improve survival outcomes. However, AMT+OSCN− treatment significantly inhibited viral replication, and in vitro treatment inhibited viral entry and nuclear transport of different influenza A virus strains (H1N1 and H3N2) including the AMT-resistant strain A/WSN/33 (H1N1). A triple combination treatment consisting of AMT, oseltamivir, and OSCN− was also tested and further inhibited in vitro viral replication of the AMT-resistant A/WSN/33 strain. These results suggest that OSCN− is a promising anti-influenza treatment option when combined with other antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuha Milad Ashtiwi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Demba Sarr
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Tamás Nagy
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Z Beau Reneer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Ralph A Tripp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Balázs Rada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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5
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Ververi A, Stathopoulou T, Kontou A, Farini M, Vlahou G, Demiris N, Sarafidis K. Lethal COG6-CDG in neonatal patient with arachnodactyly, joint contractures, and skin manifestations: Founder mutation in the Southeastern European population? Pediatr Dermatol 2022; 39:314-315. [PMID: 35048409 DOI: 10.1111/pde.14922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report a lethal case of the ultra-rare COG6-congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) presenting with skin manifestations (scaling and erosions) and joint contractures in a neonate of Albanian origin. The patient was homozygous for a COG6 pathogenic variant, previously reported in another three individuals of Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish descent. The presence of a founder mutation in the geographical area is possible. The index case emphasizes the need to consider CDGs in neonatal patients with skin manifestations and joint contractures, particularly patients of Southeastern European or West Asian origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Ververi
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodora Stathopoulou
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Kontou
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Farini
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Vlahou
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Demiris
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kosmas Sarafidis
- 1st Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Abstract
Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of congenital bone and cartilage disorders with a genetic etiology. The current classification of skeletal dysplasias distinguishes 461 diseases in 42 groups. The incidence of all skeletal dysplasias is more than 1 in every 5000 newborns. The type of dysplasia and associated abnormalities affect the lethality, survival and long-term prognosis of skeletal dysplasias. It is crucial to distinguish skeletal dysplasias and correctly diagnose the disease to establish the prognosis and achieve better management. It is possible to use prenatal ultrasonography to observe predictors of lethality, such as a bell-shaped thorax, short ribs, severe femoral shortening, and decreased lung volume. Individual lethal or life-limiting dysplasias may have more or less specific features on prenatal ultrasound. The prenatal features of the most common skeletal dysplasias, such as thanatophoric dysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta type II, achondrogenesis, and campomelic dysplasia, are discussed in this article. Less frequent dysplasias, such as asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, fibrochondrogenesis, atelosteogenesis, and homozygous achondroplasia, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lech Dudarewicz
- Department of Genetics, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Łódź, Poland
| | - Robert Śmigiel
- Department of Pediatrics and Rare Disorders, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
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7
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Fatudimu SO, Omoseebi O, Babalola OF, Akanni SO. Anal Melanoma: A Case Report of a Rare and Lethal Malignancy in a Suburban Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Niger J Surg 2021; 27:59-62. [PMID: 34012244 PMCID: PMC8112359 DOI: 10.4103/njs.njs_63_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this report is to highlight the challenges involved in the diagnosis and treatment of anal melanoma in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. It is a case report of an 84-year-old man who was managed for anal malignant melanoma. Despite inadequate investigative tools and less radical surgical treatment, the survival period of the index patient was comparable to the median survival quoted in the literature. Despite its rarity, mucosal melanomas also occur in the tropics. Prompt diagnosis, adequate imaging, and standardized treatment may improve its outlook in the nearest future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Oluwafemi Fatudimu
- Department of Surgery, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.,Department of Surgery, Afe-Babalola College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Oladipo Omoseebi
- Department of Histopathology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.,Department of Anatomic Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe-Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Olakunle Fatai Babalola
- Department of Surgery, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.,Department of Surgery, Afe-Babalola College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
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8
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Yesodharan D, Krishnan V, Nair IR, Ganapathy A, Mannan AU, Nampoothiri S. Lethal Cenani Lenz syndrome in two consecutive pregnancies: Further extension of phenotype from Maldives. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:620-624. [PMID: 33179409 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cenani Lenz syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with variable degree of limb malformations, dysmorphism, and renal agenesis. It is caused due to pathogenic variants in the LRP4 gene, which plays an important role in limb and renal development. Mutations in the APC gene have also been occasionally associated with CLS. The phenotypic spectrum ranges from mild to very severe perinatal lethal type depending on the type of variant. We report a pathogenic variant, c.2710 del T (p.Trp904GlyfsTer5) in theLRP4 gene, in a fetus with lethal Cenani Lenz syndrome with antenatal presentation of tetraphocomelia and symmetrical involvement of hands and feet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanya Yesodharan
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Cochin, India
| | - Vivek Krishnan
- Department of Perinatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Cochin, India
| | - Indu R Nair
- Department of Pathology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Cochin, India
| | | | | | - Sheela Nampoothiri
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Cochin, India
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9
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Hall BD, Stevenson RE, Jones JR. Fatal hyperkeratosis syndrome in four siblings due to dolichol kinase deficiency. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 182:1421-1425. [PMID: 32250540 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A diagnostic journey began in 1966 when a male was born with a lethal hyperkeratosis of undetermined etiology, only to be followed by three additional siblings with the same unknown disorder. All four siblings had unique circumferential skin constrictions on all of their digits. They died within 5 days after birth with no diagnosis or etiology established. The first author (BDH) maintained notes, partial medical records, photographs, and comments about one autopsy report. This information was regularly revisited in the hope of finding a literature match, but no etiological diagnosis was forthcoming. However, in 2017, Rush et al. reported two siblings with similar phenotype in whom they found dolichol kinase deficiency (DOLK). Ultimately, our family was relocated and DNA isolated from the pathology slides of the third affected infant showed compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the DOLK gene. The variants were in trans, with different missense variants from the mother and father. This 52-year diagnostic pursuit, culminated in an answer that gave the family an explanation for their losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D Hall
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Julie R Jones
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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10
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Colavita F, Vita S, Lalle E, Carletti F, Bordi L, Vincenti D, Pozzetto I, Aiuti M, Vairo F, Capobianchi MR, Lichtner M, Castilletti C. Overproduction of IL-6 and Type-I IFN in a Lethal Case of Chikungunya Virus Infection in an Elderly Man During the 2017 Italian Outbreak. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy276. [PMID: 30539034 PMCID: PMC6284464 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya fever is caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and is generally considered a self-limiting disease. However, severe clinical presentations with a high mortality rate have been reported in association with underlying medical conditions. This study reports the molecular characterization of the virus and an abnormal pattern of circulating cytokines in a unique lethal CHIKV case during the 2017 outbreak in Italy, which involved an elderly patient with underlying cardiac disease. Analysis of inflammatory cytokines revealed a strong increase of interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β, as well as interleukin-6, suggesting a possible role of type-I IFN in the cytokine storm, which may be correlated with unfavorable prognosis of CHIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Vita
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Sapienza University, S. M. Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lalle
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Licia Bordi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Vincenti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Pozzetto
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Sapienza University, S. M. Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Massimo Aiuti
- Emergency Medicine, S. M. Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Francesco Vairo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Miriam Lichtner
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Sapienza University, S. M. Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Roma, Italy
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Gomes CK, Guedes M, Potula HH, Dellagostin OA, Gomes-Solecki M. Sex Matters: Male Hamsters Are More Susceptible to Lethal Infection with Lower Doses of Pathogenic Leptospira than Female Hamsters. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00369-18. [PMID: 30012637 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00369-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A somewhat contradictory published body of evidence suggests that sex impacts severity outcomes of human leptospirosis. In this study, we used an acute animal model of disease to analyze leptospirosis in male and female hamsters infected side by side with low but increasing doses of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. We found that male hamsters were considerably more susceptible to leptospirosis, given that only 6.3% survived infection, whereas 68.7% of the females survived the same infection doses. In contrast to the females, male hamsters had high burdens of L. interrogans in kidney and high histopathological scores after exposure to low infection doses (∼103 bacteria). In hamsters infected with higher doses of L. interrogans (∼104 bacteria), differences in pathogen burdens as well as cytokine and fibrosis transcript levels in kidney were not distinct between sexes. Our results indicate that male hamsters infected with L. interrogans are more susceptible to severe leptospirosis after exposure to lower infectious doses than females.
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12
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Holmes LB, Nasri H, Beroukhim R, Hunt AT, Roberts DJ, Toufaily MH, Westgate MN. Stillborn Infants: Associated Malformations. Birth Defects Res 2018; 110:114-121. [PMID: 29377646 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth, defined as death of a fetus in utero after 20 weeks of gestation, occurs in 1 to 2% of pregnancies in the United States. Many of these stillborn infants have associated malformations, including chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects, and malformation syndromes. Other causes are abnormalities of the placenta and maternal conditions, such as pre-eclampsia and obesity. A consecutive sample of malformed stillborn infants can establish the relative frequency and severity of the associated malformations. METHODS Stillbirths were identified in the Active Malformations Surveillance Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital (1972-2012). The findings at autopsy, including the findings in the placenta and the results of diagnostic studies, were compiled. RESULTS One hundred twenty-seven stillborn infants with malformations were identified at autopsy among 289,365 pregnancies, including trisomies 21, 18, and 13; 45,X; triploidy; anencephaly; lower urinary tract obstruction; holoprosencephaly and severe heart defects, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. The severity of the abnormalities in stillborn infants was more severe than the spectrum of abnormalities identified in live-born infants. CONCLUSION An autopsy of the stillborn fetus, including chromosome microarray and an examination of the placenta, can identify the underlying causes of the stillbirth. This review of stillborn fetuses with malformations showed that several different lethal malformations and heart defects are more common than among live-born infants. These postmortem examinations can improve the counseling of the parents about risks in future pregnancies. Birth Defects Research 110:114-121, 2018.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis B Holmes
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Medical Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hanah Nasri
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Medical Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rebecca Beroukhim
- Division of Pediatric Congenital Cardiology, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - M Hassan Toufaily
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Medical Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marie-Noel Westgate
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Medical Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
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13
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Zeljković I, Bulj N, Kolačević M, Čabrilo V, Brkljačić DD, Manola Š. Failure of Intracardiac Pacing After Fatal Propafenone Overdose: A Case Report. J Emerg Med 2018; 54:e65-e68. [PMID: 29336990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Propafenone is a sodium-channel blocker, class IC antiarrhythmic drug, frequently used to manage supraventricular dysrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. We report a self mono-intoxication with propafenone. CASE REPORT A 68-year-old woman presented with a decreased level of consciousness, hypotension, and electrocardiogram showing QRS widening with atrial asystole and extreme bradycardia < 20 beats/min. After initial stabilization with transcutaneous pacing, laboratory findings detected normal electrolyte ranges and metabolic acidosis, and her medical history revealed availability of propafenone due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and depressive syndrome, which led to the suspicion of intoxication. Despite intravenous sodium bicarbonate, calcium, norepinephrine, and aggressive fluid replacement (10% glucose with insulin), hemodynamic stability was not achieved. Temporary intracardiac pacing was implanted. However, even with multiple electrode positions, effective capture could not be achieved. At that time, transcutaneous pacing was also ineffective. Consequently, the patient died in refractory asystole due to complete myocardial nonexcitability. The concentration of 5270 ng/mL of propafenone was found in the blood at autopsy, using gas spectrometry-mass chromatography. It is the third highest reported propafenone lethal concentration and the first case in which the myocardial nonexcitability refractory to intracardiac pacing was seen despite normal electrode position in the right ventricle, with failure to achieve the patient's hemodynamic stability. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should be aware of possible propafenone ingestion causing toxicity, which is probably more frequent than previously described, especially because propafenone is widely available due to its use in managing atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia nowadays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Zeljković
- Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Bulj
- Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kolačević
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedran Čabrilo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Delić Brkljačić
- Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Šime Manola
- Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
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Qin Z, Johnsen R, Yu S, Chu JS, Baillie DL, Chen N. Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 (Bethesda) 2018; 8:981-97. [PMID: 29339407 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Using combined genetic mapping, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics analyses, and experimental validation, we identified 60 essential genes from 104 lethal mutations in two genomic regions of Caenorhabditis elegans totaling ∼14 Mb on chromosome III(mid) and chromosome V(left). Five of the 60 genes had not previously been shown to have lethal phenotypes by RNA interference depletion. By analyzing the regions around the lethal missense mutations, we identified four putative new protein functional domains. Furthermore, functional characterization of the identified essential genes shows that most are enzymes, including helicases, tRNA synthetases, and kinases in addition to ribosomal proteins. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that essential genes often encode for enzymes that conduct nucleic acid binding activities during fundamental processes, such as intracellular DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Analysis of essential gene shows that they have fewer paralogs, encode proteins that are in protein interaction hubs, and are highly expressed relative to nonessential genes. All these essential gene traits in C. elegans are consistent with those of human disease genes. Most human orthologs (90%) of the essential genes in this study are related to human diseases. Therefore, functional characterization of essential genes underlines their importance as proxies for understanding the biological functions of human disease genes.
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Byun YS, Kim EK, Araki K, Yamamura KI, Lee K, Yoon WK, Won YS, Kim HC, Choi KC, Nam KH. Fryl deficiency is associated with defective kidney development and function in mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 243:408-417. [PMID: 29409347 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218758249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene located on chromosome 5 is a paralog of FRY microtubule binding protein ( Fry) in vertebrates. It encodes a protein with unknown functions. Fryl gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. Although there are several reports on functions of Fry gene, functions of Fryl gene remain unclear. A mouse line containing null mutation in Fryl gene by gene trapping was produced in this study for the first time. The survival and growth of Fryl-/- mice were observed. Fryl gene expression levels in mouse tissues were determined and histopathologic analyses were conducted. Most Fryl-/- mice died soon after birth. Rare Fryl-/- survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl-/- survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. No abnormal histopathologic lesion was apparent in full-term embryo or adult tissues except the kidney. Abnormal lining cell layer detachments from walls of collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys were apparent in Fryl-/- neonates and full-term embryos. Fryl gene was expressed in renal tubular tissues including the glomeruli and convoluted and collecting tubules. This indicates that defects in tubular systems are associated with Fryl functions and death of Fryl-/- neonates. Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. This is the first report of in vivo Fryl gene functions. Impact statement FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. It expresses a protein with unknown function. We generated a Fryl gene mutant mouse line and found that most homozygous mice died soon after their birth. Rare Fryl-/- survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl-/- survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. Full-term mutant embryos showed abnormal collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys where Fryl gene was expressed. Collectively, these results indicate that Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on in vivo Fryl gene functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Sub Byun
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
- 2 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Kim
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
| | - Kimi Araki
- 3 Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yamamura
- 3 Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Kihoon Lee
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
| | - Won-Kee Yoon
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
| | - Young-Suk Won
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
| | - Hyoung-Chin Kim
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- 2 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
| | - Ki-Hoan Nam
- 1 Laboratory Animal Resource Center, 204180 Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology , Chungbuk 28116, Korea
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McGovern E, McNally P, O'Sullivan M, Phelan E, Sumner K, Best DH, McMahon CJ. Infantile pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis: a lethal form of pulmonary hypertension. Cardiol Young 2016; 26:663-8. [PMID: 26175015 DOI: 10.1017/S1047951115001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We describe the cases of two children who both presented in infancy with recurrent severe pulmonary hypertensive crises. Exhaustive clinical work-up failed to identify an underlying aetiology. The patients had no clinical response to steroids, immunoglobulins, or pulmonary vasodilators. Post-mortem examination revealed extensive invasive pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis. There was no evidence of pulmonary venous occlusive disease. Given the lethal nature of this condition, early consideration of referral to a lung transplant centre should be considered in selected patients.
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Zhong R, Bechill J, Spiotto MT. Loss of E2F1 Extends Survival and Accelerates Oral Tumor Growth in HPV-Positive Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2372-85. [PMID: 26670255 PMCID: PMC4695895 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with several human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). HPV expresses the viral oncogene E7 that binds to the retinoblastoma protein (RB1) in order to activate the E2F pathway. RB1 can mediate contradictory pathways-cell growth and cell death via E2F family members. Here, we assessed the extent to which E2F1 mediates lethality of HPV oncogenes. Ubiquitous expression of the HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 caused lethality in mice that was associated with focal necrosis in hepatocytes and pancreatic tissues. Furthermore, all organs expressing HPV oncogenes displayed up-regulation of several E2F1 target genes. The E2F1 pathway mediated lethality in HPV-positive mice because deletion of E2F1 increased survival of mice ubiquitously expressing HPV oncogenes. E2F1 similarly functioned as a tumor suppressor in HPV-positive oral tumors as tumors grew faster with homozygous loss of E2F1 compared to tumors with heterozygous loss of E2F1. Re-expression of E2F1 caused decreased clonogenicity in HPV-positive cancer cells. Our results indicate that HPV oncogenes activated the E2F1 pathway to cause lethality in normal mice and to suppress oral tumor growth. These results suggest that selective modulation of the E2F1 pathway, which is activated in HPV tumors, may facilitate tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhong
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, 900 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - John Bechill
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, 900 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Michael T Spiotto
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, 900 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Hanes I, Kozenko M, Callen DJA. Lethal Neonatal Rigidity and Multifocal Seizure Syndrome--A Misnamed Disorder? Pediatr Neurol 2015; 53:535-40. [PMID: 26483087 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lethal neonatal rigidity and multifocal seizure syndrome is a newly recognized genetic disorder associated with early onset of rigidity, multifocal epilepsy, developmental arrest, and early death. It is an autosomal recessive condition resulting from a mutation in the BRAT1 (BRCA1 [breast cancer-1]-associated ataxia telangiectasia mutated activator 1) gene. There are few cases in the literature, and all patients have died before age 2 years, most within the first 6 months of life. The objective of this report is to expand the phenotypic spectrum of BRAT1 disorders and propose new nomenclature for this condition. RESULTS We describe a child with compound heterozygosity for mutations in BRAT1. Her neonatal course was unremarkable. Over the first year of life she was noted to have progressive global developmental delay, visual impairment, microcephaly, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, and seizures. No epileptiform discharges were seen on electroencephalogram. Serial magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed progressive cerebellar and brainstem atrophy. Unlike previously described patients, our patient has gained a number of developmental skills and, at this time, is 3 years and 8 months old. CONCLUSION Despite the name of this disorder, patients with lethal neonatal rigidity and multifocal seizure syndrome may not present until after the neonatal period and may have a much longer life span than previously reported. We suggest renaming the condition "BRAT1-associated neurodegenerative disorder" to avoid the assumptions associated with the original nomenclature and to encourage clinicians to consider this condition outside the neonatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariya Kozenko
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - David J A Callen
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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Pirolla E, Fregni F, Miura IK, Misiara AC, Almeida F, Zanoni E. Degos disease - malignant atrophic papulosis or cutaneointestinal lethal syndrome: rarity of the disease. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 2015; 8:141-7. [PMID: 25926751 PMCID: PMC4403817 DOI: 10.2147/ceg.s59794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Degos disease is a very rare syndrome with a rare type of multisystem vasculopathy of unknown cause that affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. Other organs such as the kidneys, lungs, pleura, liver, heart, and eyes, can also be involved. Objective To highlight the incidence of Degos disease with regard to age and sex, discuss the necessity of its accurate and early diagnosis, and demonstrate the most current techniques for its diagnosis; to discuss whether early therapeutic intervention can impact patient prognosis; and to present a literature review about this disease. Design With a retrospective, observational, nonrandomized trial, we described the evolution of the different forms of Degos disease and referenced the literature. Data sources Research on rare documented cases in the literature, including two cases of potentially lethal form of the disease involving the skin and gastrointestinal system and, possibly, the lungs, kidneys, and central nervous system. A case of the benign form of the disease involving the skin was observed by the authors. Main outcome measures Differences between outcomes in patients with the cutaneointestinal form and skin-only form of the disease. There was one fatal outcome. We reviewed possible new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Results The study demonstrated the rapid evolution of the aggressive and malignant form of the disease. It also described newly accessible Phase I diagnostic tools being currently researched as well as new therapeutic approaches. Limitation The rarity of the disease, with only eleven cases throughout the literature. Conclusion The gastrointestinal form of Degos disease can be lethal. Its vascular etiology has finally been confirmed; however, new and more accurate early diagnostic modalities need to be developed. There are new therapeutic possibilities, but the studies of them are still in the early stages and have not yet shown the full effectiveness of these new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Pirolla
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Research Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Research Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irene K Miura
- University of São Paulo, Sirio Libanes Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
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Chen X, Cuadros MD, Chalfie M. Identification of nonviable genes affecting touch sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans using neuronally enhanced feeding RNA interference. G3 (Bethesda) 2015; 5:467-75. [PMID: 25575561 DOI: 10.1534/g3.114.015776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans senses gentle touch along the body via six touch receptor neurons. Although genetic screens and microarray analyses have identified several genes needed for touch sensitivity, these methods miss pleiotropic genes that are essential for the viability, movement, or fertility of the animals. We used neuronally enhanced feeding RNA interference to screen genes that cause lethality or paralysis when mutated, and we identified 61 such genes affecting touch sensitivity, including five positive controls. We confirmed 18 genes by using available alleles, and further studied one of them, tag-170, now renamed txdc-9. txdc-9 preferentially affects anterior touch response but is needed for tubulin acetylation and microtubule formation in both the anterior and posterior touch receptor neurons. Our results indicate that neuronally enhanced feeding RNA interference screens complement traditional mutageneses by identifying additional nonviable genes needed for specific neuronal functions.
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Filges I, Nosova E, Bruder E, Tercanli S, Townsend K, Gibson WT, Röthlisberger B, Heinimann K, Hall JG, Gregory-Evans CY, Wasserman WW, Miny P, Friedman JM. Exome sequencing identifies mutations in KIF14 as a novel cause of an autosomal recessive lethal fetal ciliopathy phenotype. Clin Genet 2013; 86:220-8. [PMID: 24128419 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Revised: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene discovery using massively parallel sequencing has focused on phenotypes diagnosed postnatally such as well-characterized syndromes or intellectual disability, but is rarely reported for fetal disorders. We used family-based whole-exome sequencing in order to identify causal variants for a recurrent pattern of an undescribed lethal fetal congenital anomaly syndrome. The clinical signs included intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), severe microcephaly, renal cystic dysplasia/agenesis and complex brain and genitourinary malformations. The phenotype was compatible with a ciliopathy, but not diagnostic of any known condition. We hypothesized biallelic disruption of a gene leading to a defect related to the primary cilium. We identified novel autosomal recessive truncating mutations in KIF14 that segregated with the phenotype. Mice with autosomal recessive mutations in the same gene have recently been shown to have a strikingly similar phenotype. Genotype-phenotype correlations indicate that the function of KIF14 in cell division and cytokinesis can be linked to a role in primary cilia, supported by previous cellular and model organism studies of proteins that interact with KIF14. We describe the first human phenotype, a novel lethal ciliary disorder, associated with biallelic inactivating mutations in KIF14. KIF14 may also be considered a candidate gene for allelic viable ciliary and/or microcephaly phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Filges
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Gurzu S, Jung I, Comsulea M, Kadar Z, Azamfirei L, Molnar C. Lethal cardiotoxicity, steatohepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and acute enteritis induced by capecitabine and oxaliplatin in a 36-year-old woman. Diagn Pathol 2013; 8:150. [PMID: 24041405 PMCID: PMC3856521 DOI: 10.1186/1746-1596-8-150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A 36-year-old female was hospitalized with symptoms suggesting intestinal occlusion. She was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (pT4N0 stage) and underwent cephalic duodenopancreatectomy 8 months ago. Five cycles of postoperative chemotherapy were administrated using capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX or XELOX), the last one being completed 1 month ago. During the present hospitalization, because of normal computed tomography and ultrasound abdominal examination, rehydration and antibiotherapy were administrated. However, 4 days after hospital admission, the patient died. At autopsy and histological examination, we found a severe myocardial sclerosis with large scarring areas, severe steatohepatitis, chronic pancreatitis with large fibrotic areas, and acute enteritis. Alcohol consumption was denied. The patient died due to associated heart, liver and pancreatic failure. This multiorgan toxicity and death following CAPOX regimen had not yet been reported in the literature. VIRTUAL SLIDES The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/6472150549833105.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Gurzu
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
| | - Ioan Jung
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
| | - Maria Comsulea
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
| | - Zoltan Kadar
- Department of Oncology, County Hospital of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
| | - Leonard Azamfirei
- Intensive Care Unit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
| | - Calin Molnar
- Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu-Mures, Romania
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Nelson Q, Agarwal N, Stephenson R, Cannon-Albright LA. A population-based analysis of clustering identifies a strong genetic contribution to lethal prostate cancer. Front Genet 2013; 4:152. [PMID: 23970893 PMCID: PMC3747326 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is a common and often deadly cancer. Decades of study have yet to identify genes that explain much familial prostate cancer. Traditional linkage analysis of pedigrees has yielded results that are rarely validated. We hypothesize that there are rare segregating variants responsible for high-risk prostate cancer pedigrees, but recognize that within-pedigree heterogeneity is responsible for significant noise that overwhelms signal. Here we introduce a method to identify homogeneous subsets of prostate cancer, based on cancer characteristics, which show the best evidence for an inherited contribution. METHODS We have modified an existing method, the Genealogical Index of Familiality (GIF) used to show evidence for significant familial clustering. The modification allows a test for excess familial clustering of a subset of prostate cancer cases when compared to all prostate cancer cases. RESULTS Consideration of the familial clustering of eight clinical subsets of prostate cancer cases compared to the expected familial clustering of all prostate cancer cases identified three subsets of prostate cancer cases with evidence for familial clustering significantly in excess of expected. These subsets include prostate cancer cases diagnosed before age 50 years, prostate cancer cases with body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30, and prostate cancer cases for whom prostate cancer contributed to death. CONCLUSIONS This analysis identified several subsets of prostate cancer cases that cluster significantly more than expected when compared to all prostate cancer familial clustering. A focus on high-risk prostate cancer cases or pedigrees with these characteristics will reduce noise and could allow identification of the rare predisposition genes or variants responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Nelson
- Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Boitz JM, Ullman B. Amplification of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase suppresses the conditionally lethal growth and virulence phenotype of Leishmania donovani mutants lacking both hypoxanthine-guanine and xanthine phosphoribosyltransferases. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:18555-64. [PMID: 20363738 PMCID: PMC2881781 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.125393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania donovani cannot synthesize purines de novo and obligatorily scavenge purines from the host. Previously, we described a conditional lethal Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt mutant of L. donovani (Boitz, J. M., and Ullman, B. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 16084-16089) that establishes that L. donovani salvages purines primarily through hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) and xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (XPRT). Unlike wild type L. donovani, the Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt knock-out cannot grow on 6-oxypurines and displays an absolute requirement for adenine or adenosine and 2'-deoxycoformycin, an inhibitor of parasite adenine aminohydrolase activity. Here, we demonstrate that the ability of Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt parasites to infect mice was profoundly compromised. Surprisingly, mutant parasites that survived the initial passage through mice partially regained their virulence properties, exhibiting a >10-fold increase in parasite burden in a subsequent mouse infection. To dissect the mechanism by which Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt parasites persisted in vivo, suppressor strains that had regained their capacity to grow under restrictive conditions were cloned from cultured Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt parasites. The ability of these suppressor clones to grow in and metabolize 6-oxypurines could be ascribed to a marked amplification and overexpression of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene. Moreover, transfection of Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt cells with an APRT episome recapitulated the suppressor phenotype in vitro and enabled growth on 6-oxypurines. Biochemical studies further showed that hypoxanthine, unexpectedly, was an inefficient substrate for APRT, evidence that could account for the ability of the suppressors to metabolize hypoxanthine. Subsequent analysis implied that APRT amplification was also a potential contributory mechanism by which Deltahgprt/Deltaxprt parasites displayed persistence and increased virulence in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M. Boitz
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Buddy Ullman
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
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Day CW, Baric R, Cai SX, Frieman M, Kumaki Y, Morrey JD, Smee DF, Barnard DL. A new mouse-adapted strain of SARS-CoV as a lethal model for evaluating antiviral agents in vitro and in vivo. Virology 2009; 395:210-22. [PMID: 19853271 PMCID: PMC2787736 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Revised: 06/26/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly lethal emerging disease caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV. New lethal animal models for SARS were needed to facilitate antiviral research. We adapted and characterized a new strain of SARS-CoV (strain v2163) that was highly lethal in 5- to 6-week-old BALB/c mice. It had nine mutations affecting 10 amino acid residues. Strain v2163 increased IL-1alpha, IL-6, MIP-1alpha, MCP-1, and RANTES in mice, and high IL-6 expression correlated with mortality. The infection largely mimicked human disease, but lung pathology lacked hyaline membrane formation. In vitro efficacy against v2163 was shown with known inhibitors of SARS-CoV replication. In v2163-infected mice, Ampligen was fully protective, stinging nettle lectin (UDA) was partially protective, ribavirin was disputable and possibly exacerbated disease, and EP128533 was inactive. Ribavirin, UDA, and Ampligen decreased IL-6 expression. Strain v2163 provided a valuable model for anti-SARS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Day
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, UMC 5600, Logan, UT 84322-5600, USA
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Abstract
Unlike the soma, which ages during the lifespan of multicellular organisms, the germ line traces an essentially immortal lineage. Genomic instability in somatic cells increases with age, and this decline in somatic maintenance might be regulated to facilitate resource reallocation towards reproduction at the expense of cellular senescence. Here we show that Caenorhabditis elegans mutants with increased longevity exhibit a soma-to-germline transformation of gene expression programs normally limited to the germ line. Decreased insulin-like signalling causes the somatic misexpression of the germline-limited pie-1 and pgl family of genes in intestinal and ectodermal tissues. The forkhead boxO1A (FOXO) transcription factor DAF-16, the major transcriptional effector of insulin-like signalling, regulates pie-1 expression by directly binding to the pie-1 promoter. The somatic tissues of insulin-like mutants are more germline-like and protected from genotoxic stress. Gene inactivation of components of the cytosolic chaperonin complex that induce increased longevity also causes somatic misexpression of PGL-1. These results indicate that the acquisition of germline characteristics by the somatic cells of C. elegans mutants with increased longevity contributes to their increased health and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P. Curran
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Xiaoyun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Christian G. Riedel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Gary Ruvkun
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
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Abstract
There are several pigmentary disturbances which occur in the horse, some of which are primary inherited conditions related to the breed, while others are acquired. All are related to the amount of melanin present in the epidermis, dermis or hair and the activity of melanocytes in these areas may be independent of each other. Within this section, a general discussion of leukoderma and leukotrichia is presented along with a few specific conditions recognized as abnormalities of pigmentation.
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Merz B. 'Deradiating' the former uranium capital. JAMA 1987; 11:e39482. [PMID: 3612975 PMCID: PMC9536525 DOI: 10.2196/39482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background The use of validated instruments means providing health professionals with reliable and valid tools. The Nurses’ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR) scale has proven to be valid and reliable in supporting the nursing evaluation of suicide risk in different languages and cultural environments. Objective The aims of our study are to translate and adapt the NGASR scale for the Spanish population and evaluate its psychometric properties in patients with suicide risk factors. Methods The translation, adaptation, and modeling of the tool will be performed. The sample will include 165 participants. The psychometric analysis will include reliability and validity tests of the tool’s internal structure. The tool’s reliability will be assessed by exploring internal consistency and calculating the Cronbach α coefficient; significance values of .70 or higher will be accepted as indicators of good internal consistency. The underlying factor structure of the Spanish version of the NGASR scale will be assessed by performing an exploratory factor analysis. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sample adequacy and the Bartlett sphericity statistic will be calculated beforehand. For the latter, if P is <.05 for the null hypothesis of sphericity, the null hypothesis will be rejected. Results Participants will be recruited between April 2022 and December 2022. Our study is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2023. Conclusions We hope to find the same firmness that colleagues have found in other countries in order to consolidate and promote the use of the NGASR tool in the Spanish population. The prevention and treatment of suicidal behavior require holistic, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive management. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/39482
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