Dinesha M. Vidanapathirana1,2*, Eresha Jasinge1, Samantha Waidyanatha3, Amanda J. Hooper4,5, John R. Burnett4,5

1Department of Chemical Pathology, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Sri Lanka

2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

3Department of Paediatrics, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Sri Lanka

4Department of Clinical Biochemistry, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital Network, Perth, Australia

5School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia

Abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of lipoprotein metabolism caused by mutations in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) gene. To date, less than 100 cases of ABL have been reported worldwide. It is characterized biochemically by the absence or extremely low levels of low-density lipoproteins in the blood. We report a four-month-old girl, born to consanguineous parents, who presented with steatorrhea, failure to thrive, marked hypolipidemia and acanthocytosis, with a similar history having been noted in her older sibling. DNA sequencing revealed the infant to be homozygous for a novel pathogenic MTTP splice variant c.394-2A?C. Family screening revealed her sister to be homozygous for the same MTTP variant while her parents were heterozygotes. Early diagnosis and treatment of ABL in the form of a low-fat diet and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation can mitigate neuropathy and retinopathy. We believe that this is the first identification of an infant with a novel mutation for abetalipoproteinemia in Sri Lanka.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/2.1176 View / Download Pdf

Gang Wang*

Department of Pathology, BC Cancer Vancouver Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Metastatic carcinomas to the testis are extremely rare and have been reported only in autopsy series or case reports. However, when they occur, the metastatic tumors in the testis are usually unilateral and solitary, may have overlap growth patterns and cytological features with primary testicular tumors, including those of rete/epididymis origin, mesothelial origin and Sertoli cell tumor. It will make the diagnosis very challenging, especially when there is no known history of a primary tumor in other sites. Metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma counts nearly half of the overall metastatic carcinoma in the testis, followed by colorectal carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Here, we review our experience and summarize the reported cases from the literature, to emphasize some of the unusual aspects of metastatic carcinoma to the testis, and discuss the main differential diagnoses for this rare condition. Awareness of the features of these tumors, consideration of the possibility of metastasis and appropriate ancillary studies are the keys to the accurate diagnosis of these cases.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/2.1177 View / Download Pdf

Boris M. Ariel1,2*, Ivetta V. Dvorakovskaya1,3, Ludmila N. Novikova3, Mikhail M. Ilkovich3

1St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, Health Ministry of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia

2St. Petersburg City Mortem Bureau, St. Petersburg, Russia

3Pulmonology Clinic of Pavlov State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare interstitial lung disease with severe impairment of respiratory function caused by some genetic abnormalities of surfactant production and utilization. One of the clue moments in the pathogenesis of this disease which can lead to respiratory failure and death is the pulmonary fibrosis development occurring occasionally in patients with moderate and severe PAP. According to our own experience in 1977-2018 whole and segmental lung lavage remains the first-line treatment of PAP; 70 patients (82%) had shown an improvement after this treatment. A noticeable improvement was achieved in 67 patients (79%), and no serious complications were observed. The 5-year survival rate reached 100%. Nevertheless, delayed diagnosis and incorrect administration of antibiotics and tuberculostatics reduce the probability of a long symptom-free period after lung lavage and resolution of the disease.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/2.1172 View / Download Pdf

Juan Luis Fernández-Martínez*, Oscar Álvarez, Enrique J. DeAndrés-Galiana, Javier Fernández-Sánchez de la Viña, Leticia Huergo

Group of Inverse Problems, Optimization and Machine Learning. Department of Mathematics. University of Oviedo, Oviedo, 33007, Asturias, Spain.

In this paper we present a robust methodology to deal with phenotype prediction problems associated to drug repositioning in rare diseases, which is based on the robust sampling of altered pathways. We show the application to the analysis of IBM (Inclusion Body Myositis) providing new insights about the mechanisms involved in its development: cytotoxic CD8 T cell-mediated immune response and pathogenic protein accumulation in myofibrils related to the proteasome inhibition. The originality of this methodology consists of performing a robust and deep sampling of the altered pathways and relating these results to possible compounds via the connectivity map paradigm. The methodology is particularly well-suited for the case of rare diseases where few genetic samples are at disposal. We believe that this method for drug optimization is more effective and complementary to the target centric approach that loses efficacy due to a poor understanding of the disease mechanisms to establish an optimum mechanism of action (MoA) in the designed drugs. However, the efficacy of the list of drugs and gene targets provided by this approach should be preclinically validated and clinically tested. This methodology can be easily adapted to other rare and non-rare diseases.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/2.1174 View / Download Pdf

Xia Chen1, Xue Xiao2, Fei Guo3*

1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

2Anesthesiology of the Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University

3Burn Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

Histone demethylation is an important part of epigenetic modifications, involving in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, reprogramming and so on. JmjC domain-containing protein D3 (JMJD3, also called KDM6B) specifically demethylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3), a repressive epigenetic mark, therefore modulating the expression of target genes. JMJD3 can be strongly and quickly induced by various inflammatory stimuli and cellular stresses, and can enhance pro-inflammatory reactions as well as anti-inflammatory reactions by targeting diverse transcription factors in gene promoters and bodies. Additionally, JMJD3 has a dual effect on many types of cancers through binding to promoters of oncogenes or suppressor genes. As is known to us all, in the occurrence and development of various diseases including inflammation and cancer, JMJD3 plays a crucial role, which has triggered a research boom among numerous scholars over the years. In this review, we primarily focused on the roles of JMJD3 in inflammation and cancers, and briefly discussed its application prospect, laying a theoretical foundation for further research and providing a train of thought for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/1.1166 View / Download Pdf

Neslihan Y?ld?r?m Saral, Fehime Benli Aksungar*, Mustafa Serteser

Acibadem University, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Acibadem Labmed Clinical Laboratories, Department of Metabolism Istanbul, Turkey

Inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs), comprise a large class of genetic diseases affecting the metabolism. Expanded newborn screening from dried dried blood spot (DBS) samples for inborn errors of metabolism has increased the detection of metabolic disorders in asymptomatic newborns and reduced the morbidity and mortality by early interventions. Organic acidurias (OADs) arise from the defects in the intermediary metabolic pathways of carbohydrate, amino acid and fatty acid oxidation, leading to the accumulation of organic acids in tissues and their subsequent excretion in urine. Glutaric acidurias are a group of OADs which have three major types with different genetic mutations affecting different metabolic enzymes. In this mini-review we will compare three types of GA and their genotypes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments will be discussed briefly.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/1.1171 View / Download Pdf

Silvina Noemí Contreras-Capetillo1*, Melania Abreu-González2

1Laboratorio de Genética, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Mérida, Yucatán, México

2Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Secuenciación Masiva. Genos Médica, Centro Especializado en Genética, Ciudad de México, México

In 2013, Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome (MIM #615485) was described in patients with severe global developmental delay, postnatal microcephaly and feeding problems due to heterozygous loss of function variants in the ASXL3 gene. The ASXL3 is part of the ASXL gene family involved in gene expression during embryogenesis and they participate as epigenetic scaffolds capable of interacting with complex modifiers of chromatin and diverse transcription factors. Germline variants in ASXL1, ASXL2 and ASXL3 have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders which clinical phenotypic presentation resembles to Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome thus elucidating these types of overlapping genetic disorders is challenging. Up to now, approximately forty patients have been confirmed with this syndrome by next generation sequencing. The implementation of whole exome sequencing allows early identification and definitive diagnosis of patients with clinically unestablished phenotypes, as seen in AXL3 gene. This review discusses clinical and molecular features of variants in AXL3 gene associated with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2019/1.1160 View / Download Pdf

Rui-Ru Ji1*, Tatiana Serebriyskaya2,3, Natalia Kuzkina2,3

1Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 121 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210, USA

2EPAM Systems, 22/2 Zastavskaya Street, MegaPark, 196084, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

3Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, School of Biological and Medical Physics, 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow, Russia

Genetic information provides important guidance for long-term management of patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an extremely rare disease that primarily affects a patient’s kidney. To better understand the phenotypic impact of variants identified in aHUS patients, we systematically mined the National Library of Medicine database for case studies of aHUS patients with identifiable genetic variants. Allelic variants from 10 genes (C3, CFB, CFH, CFI, CFHR1, CFHR3, CFHR5, DGKE, CD46/MCP, and THBD) associated with aHUS were collected from 1652 patients. We analyze the enrichment of genetic variants in this “literature cohort” compared with a reference population, the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). We also used a number of tools to predict the pathogenicity of the variants, attempting to reconcile all the results using the protein structure and conservation data. In total, we identified 447 unique genetic variants: 301 of these were not present in the gnomAD database and thus have “moderate” evidence of pathogenicity; 33 variants have “strong” evidence of pathogenicity by enrichment analysis. This study showcases an in silico framework that patient data aggregation and a large scale sequencing database provided a novel opportunity to understand genotype-phenotype associations in aHUS. This framework can be efficiently applied to other rare diseases where data are sparse to help improve the diagnosis and management of these patients.

aHUS: atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome; gnomAD: Genome Aggregation Database; CD46/MCP: cluster of differentiation 46/membrane cofactor protein; CFH: complement factor H; CFI: complement factor I; CFB: complement factor B; C3: complement component 3; ACMG: American College of Medical Genetics; AF: allele frequency; CFHR1: complement factor H-related protein 1; CFHR3: complement factor H-related protein 3; CFHR5: complement factor H-related protein 5; DGKE: diacylglycerol kinase epsilon; THBD: thrombomodulin; MEDLINE: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online; VEP: variant effect predictor; SIFT: sorts intolerant from tolerant substitutions; PROVEAN: protein variation effect analyzer; FATHMM: functional analysis through Hidden Markov Models

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/1.1168 View / Download Pdf

Saika Amreen, Yaqoob Wani, Yawar Yaseen, Arshad Parray, Tariq A. Gojwari

Dept. Of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

A 38-year-old primigravida delivered a healthy baby via cesarean section. The patient complained of vague abdominal discomfort a few weeks after surgery. Though blood work was unremarkable, an ultrasound revealed a deep pelvic hypoechoic collection. Patient was afebrile and blood work was unremarkable for infectious etiology. Hemoglobin was normal. The patient was otherwise healthy. This was 6 years ago. The lesion still persists.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/1.1165 View / Download Pdf

Rose Chami*

Division of Pathology, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis (PIG) associated with a spectrum of neonatal pulmonary disorders”, reported by Cutz et al represents one of the largest series published to date. The report included twenty-eight cases of lung or cardiac disorders with coincident diffuse, patchy, or focal PIG reviewed in Division of Pathology, The Hospital for Sick Children. The authors focused on reporting a spectrum of disorders associated with PIG and described four clinicopathological subgroups including imaging, ultrastructural findings, and clinical outcome. The present paper highlights the main findings reported by Cutz et al, and a review of literature is also presented.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/1.1170 View / Download Pdf

Núria Pujol-Moix1,2*, Blanca Jimenez2, Eduardo Muñiz-Diaz3, Manel Roca4, Joan Carles Souto2,5

1Medicine Department, Unitat Docent Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

2Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain

3Division of Immunohematology, Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

4Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain

5Unitat d'Hemostàsia i Trombosi, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired disorder that generally occurs in sporadic individuals, but a few patients are grouped in families. The aims of the present study were: 1) to perform a retrospective descriptive study of a series of patients with familial ITP, and 2) to perform a literature review on familial ITP.

We studied 16 ITP patients, from 8 families, selected by using the general established exclusion criteria as well as at least one of the following additional positive criteria: the finding of autoantibodies on the platelet surface, a short platelet survival in the kinetic study, or a clear therapeutic response to immunosupressors or splenectomy. Moreover, we studied 60 patients with familial ITP previously reported in the literature, selected by using the same diagnostic criteria as for our patients.

The patient’s characteristics of familial ITP were not substantially different from those of sporadic ITP patients. The small number of patients reported in the literature suggests that, familial ITP has been underdiagnosed. We recommend considering the possible diagnosis of familial ITP when a familial thrombocytopenia has no demonstrable genetic cause, especially if there are other autoimmune disorders in the family. Moreover, to obtain a true diagnosis in these families we recommend applying the additional positive criteria mentioned above besides the exclusion diagnostic criteria.

ITP = immune thrombocytopenia

Ig = immunoglobuin, immunoglobulins

AD = autoimmune disorder, autoimmune disorders

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/4.1167 View / Download Pdf

Natalie M. Bath1*, Daniel H. Williams2, Hans W. Sollinger1, Robert R. Redfield III1

1 Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

2 Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome (LPHS) remains a rare disease but has a significant impact on those affected by it. Patients diagnosed with LPHS experience severe, constant or intermittent flank pain that radiates to the groin and may be exacerbated even by a gentle touch. These patients often require significant narcotic regimens for pain control and are unable to maintain a functional lifestyle. Previously, diagnosis has been made based on clinical presentation. One treatment for this syndrome is renal autotransplant; however, success rates are varied. Therefore, patient selection for this procedure is important. We have developed the UW-LPHS test as a diagnostic maneuver in order to determine which patients with LPHS would benefit from renal autotransplant. To perform this diagnostic test, bupivacaine is instilled into the ureter on the affected side and left to dwell. Patients who experience pain relief following this test are deemed to benefit from renal autotransplant. Here we describe this novel diagnostic test and initial success rates following renal autotransplant.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/4.1169 View / Download Pdf

Photios Anninos1*, Athanasia Kotini1, Adam Adamopoulos1, Nicolaos Tsagas2

1Labratory of Medical Physics, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Alexandroupoli, Greece

2Department of Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic School, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece

The purpose of this research is to identify any change in the frequencies of 2-7Hz in the brain state of epilepsy patients after pico-Tesla transcranial magnetic stimulation (pT-TMS). It is a noninvasive technique for treating neurological disorders. We used magneto encephalographic (MEG) recordings of 10 epilepsy patients with a whole-head 122 - channel MEG system in a magnetically shielded room of low magnetic noise. The subjects were 5 male and 5 female epilepsy volunteers between 18-42 years of age. Afterwards, external pT-TMS was applied to the above patients. A software program was developed in our lab in order to detect the primary dominant frequency of the power spectra of the MEG obtained from every patient and channel before and after the application of pT-TMS. We found that 7 out of 10 patients (70%) had increased their 2-7Hz frequencies after the application of pT-TMS. We concluded that frequency analysis is a promising means for the assessment of epilepsy disorders.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/4.1164 View / Download Pdf

Moises Rodriguez-Gonzalez1*, Alvaro Antonio Perez-Reviriego2, Ana Castellano-Martinez2, Helena Maria Cascales-Poyatos2

1Pediatric Cardiology Department, Puerta del Mar Universitary Hospital, Cadiz, Spain

2Pediatrics Department, Puerta del Mar Universitary Hospital, Cadiz, Spain

Propionic acidemia, is an autosomal recessive disorder due to the deficiency of the enzyme propionyl?coenzyme A carboxylase, which is a critical component for the metabolism of certain amino acids and lipids. The clinical complications are varied and may present at any time in the patient's life, mainly the neurological symptoms. Outside the central nerve system, haematological abnormalities including anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia, immune defects, osteoporosis and pancreatitis are other rare complications reported. Of note, cardiac diseases have been recognized as increasing and life-threatening manifestations, including cardiomyopathy and electrophysiological changes such as prolongation of the QT interval.

The possible mechanisms of propionic acidemia?associated cardiac disorder, and the importance of appropriate management and early recognition, are discussed.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/3.1162 View / Download Pdf

Dr. Sona B. Nair*

Department of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/3.1161 View / Download Pdf

Daniel da Motta Girardi1*, Gabriela Oliveira Mendes2

1Department of Oncology, Hospital Sírio Libanês, Brazil

2Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, Brasília, Brazil

Curative treatment for localized gastric cancer involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes surgery and chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. In the past decades several studies have shown survival benefit of postoperative and perioperative treatments in comparison with surgery alone. Only a few trials have compared directly chemotherapy with chemoradiotherapy without a clear benefit favoring one strategy over another. In the absence of a standard approach, the choice of the best treatment is individualized and varies by geographic region and the preference of the institution where the patient is being treated. This review summarizes what is new in the treatment of localized gastric cancer and seeks to deeply analyze chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy strategies.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/3.1159 View / Download Pdf

Yoichiro Ikeda*, Yoko Yoshida, Yuuka Sugawara, Masaomi Nangaku

Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease caused by the dysfunction of the alternative pathway of the complement system, which leads to the spontaneous activation of the complement system in the circulating plasma or cell surface. Recently our group published the cohort analysis of aHUS in Japan (n=118). Through the study, we revealed the followings; 1) the genetic background of aHUS in Japan was different from that in Western countries, 2) the most frequent genetic mutation detected in this study was I1157T in C3 (n=24), which was associated with superior renal outcome in spite of frequent replases, 3) Anti-CFH antibody positive aHUS had an excellent renal outcome, 4) 44% cases presented nephrotic syndrome, 5) only 12 % developed end stage renal disease (ESRD) and 6) there were 13 cases that discontinued eculizumab treatment and were followed up. These findings might help establishing the robust evidence for the optimal treatment of aHUS.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/3.1156 View / Download Pdf

Emma Nally1,2, Robert D. Bunning1*

1MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving St., NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

2Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1154 View / Download Pdf

Girish Hiremath1*, Evan S. Dellon2

1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville TN 37232, USA

2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1155 View / Download Pdf

Sangjucta Barkataki1,2, Madhura Joglekar-Javadekar1,2, Patti Bradfield3, Thomas Murphy1, Diana Dickson-Witmer2,4 and Kenneth L. van Golen1,2*

1The University of Delaware Department of Biological Sciences, Newark, DE, USA

2The Center for Translational Cancer Research, Newark, DE, USA

3The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation, Newark, DE, USA

4The Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE 19716-2500, USA

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a unique breast cancer with a highly virulent course and low 5- and 10-year survival rates. Although IBC only accounts for 1-5% of breast cancers it is estimated to account for 10% of breast cancer deaths annually in the United States. The accuracy of diagnosis and classification of this unique cancer is a major concern within the medical community. Multimodality treatment includes preoperative chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation therapy is the therapeutic mainstay and has been shown to improve prognosis. The potential for inaccurate diagnosis and misclassification in cases of IBC is increased by many factors. This includes the misleading initial symptoms of IBC. The early signs of IBC will present in women who have inflammation of the skin of the affected breast, as well as red or purple coloration of the inflamed area. Molecular studies have shown unique signature genes that are hallmarks of IBC. The current article reviews multiple aspects of primary inflammatory breast cancer.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1150 View / Download Pdf

Tan Vu Le1, Hoang Minh Tue Nguyen1, Wayne J.G. Hellstrom1*

1Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, New Orleans LA, USA

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is rare condition that is characterized by transient flu-like symptoms and cognition disorders that occur shortly after ejaculation and last for 2-7 days. There are about 50 cases of POIS in the literature. The prevalence and incidence of POIS are still unknown due to a paucity of studies. The exact pathogenesis of POIS remains unknown; the most acceptable hypothesis is an autoimmune/allergic process. We made a literature search via PubMed for publications from 2002 to 2018 with the “post orgasmic illness syndrome” medical subject heading term to analyze current data regarding symptoms, burden, pathophysiology, and to discuss potential management options for POIS. POIS is diagnosed by five preliminary diagnostic criteria. It is categorized into two types: primary and secondary. There is the concomitance between POIS and PE. The autoimmune/allergy hypothesis is the most accepted hypothesis explaining POIS pathogenesis. A competing hypothesis involves a disorder of endogenous μ-opioid receptors. Patients with POIS have been symptomatically treated with antihistamines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and benzodiazepines. A trial of hyposensitization therapy with autologous semen was successful. A trial of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication helped in a single case report but failed to successfully treat other patients with POIS.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1152 View / Download Pdf

Natan Gadoth1*

1The Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel-Aviv University and Maynei Hayeshua Medical Center, Bnei Barak, Israel

Rare genetic disorders are usually a diagnostic challenge mainly due to the complexity of the clinical presentation which is frequently changing with age and progression of the particular disorder. Familial Dysautonomia is a rare and complex multisystem disorder with peculiar but distinct clinical features . Some of those features are unique to this particular syndrome and the one who is familiar with them can quite easily reach the diagnosis without the need for sophisticated laboratory work-up. In this short review those “clinical pearls” will be described in some detail.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1153 View / Download Pdf

Francisco José Guerrero-Márquez1*, José María Cubero-Gómez1, Agustín Guisado-Rasco1, Luis Salvador Díaz-de la-Llera1, Mónica Fernández-Quero1, Manuel Villa-Gil Ortega1

1Haemodynamic and Interventional Cardiology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain

Thrombocytopenia induced by iodinated contrasts is a rare adverse effect but with significant morbidity and mortality. The molecular mechanisms that produce this phenomenon are unknown; however, an idiosyncratic reaction after a previous exposure may be part of its etiopathogenesis. The best alternative to these media is gadolinium medium, although its scarce radiopacity and possible adverse effects secondary to its dose result in limitations to its use. The use of intracoronary diagnostic techniques, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), can provide information and reduce the risks inherent in a higher dose of gadolinium. In the absence of experience in the form of literature in this field, the best alternative that we have to guide a coronary intervention in patients with a contraindication to iodinated contrasts is gadolinium medium supported with IVUS.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1149 View / Download Pdf

Kazuhiko Hashimoto1*, Yutaka Oda1, Shigeshi Mori2, Koutaro Yamagishi1, Tsukamoto Ichiro1, Masao Akagi1

1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kindai University Hospital, Osaka-Sayama City, Osaka 589-8511, Japan

2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Ikoma City, Nara 630-0293, Japan

The lectin-like, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1)/ox-LDL system contributes to atherosclerosis and thus may play a role in cartilage degeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the LOX-1/ox-LDL system contributes to the pathogenesis of age-related osteoarthritis (OA) in vivo, using LOX-1 knockout (LOX-1 KO) mice. Knee cartilage samples from 6-, 12-, and 18-month-old (n = 10 per group) C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) and LOX-1 KO mice were compared for OA-related changes with Safranin-O staining. At 12 and 18 months, the OA changes were significantly reduced in LOX-1 KO mice compared to those in WT mice. Moreover, an immunohistological analysis showed that the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor-2, type-X collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 in the articular chondrocytes were significantly decreased in LOX-1 KO mice compared with those in WT mice. Overall, this study indicates that the LOX-1/ox-LDL system in chondrocytes plays a role in the pathogenesis of age-related knee OA, highlighting a novel potential target for preventing OA progression.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1151 View / Download Pdf

Chi Yun Yu1, Syed Wasim2, Dominick Amato3*

1University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Cir #3172, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada

260 Murray Street, Box 34, 3rd Floor, Room 400, Toronto, ON M5T 3L9, Canada

3Mark Freedman and Judy Jacobs Program for Gaucher Disease, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, Room L3-415, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada

Gaucher disease (GD) is characterized by a deficiency in lysosomal glucocerebrosidase, resulting in a multisystemic disease with substantial variability in clinical manifestations, disease progression, and treatment response. This is the first study in Canada that examines the epidemiological profile of Gaucher patients, mapping out the GD clinical spectrum in the ethnically diverse province of Ontario.

Study found a prevalence of 1:155,367 (1: 9,853 for Ashkenazi-Jews) type 1 GD adults in Ontario. Splenectomy was associated with improved thrombocytopenia, worsened hyperferritinemia and bone pain, but no effects on anemia, bone mineral density or bone crises. Compared to the non-treatment group, a higher proportion of patients who received enzyme replacement/ substrate reduction therapy (ERT/SRT) presented with anemia, hepatomegaly, bone pain, and bone crises at baseline, suggesting that these presentations may be predictive of subsequent need for treatment. ERT/SRT were effective in improving all hematological, visceral, and skeletal manifestations (except bone mineral density), whereas the non-treatment group remained clinically stable over time (10.88 years) without significant disease progression – thus early use of ERT/SRT may not be necessary in all patients.

This comprehensive analysis summarizes the genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity of GD, serving as a comparative resource for optimization of care for adult patients.

DOI: 10.29245/2572-9411/2018/2.1148 View / Download Pdf