Anti-synthetase syndrome: a rare and challenging diagnosis for bilateral ground-glass opacities-a case report with literature review.

BMC Pulm Med. 2021 Jan 06;21(1):11

Authors: Alfraji N, Mazahir U, Chaudhri M, Miskoff J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is an uncommon immune-mediated entity characterized by myositis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), non-erosive arthritis, and less common features such as fever, Raynaud's phenomenon, and skin changes in association with anti-aminoacyl-transfer-RNA antibodies, most commonly anti-Jo-1 antibodies.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present a challenging and rare case of ASS-associated ILD presenting with unexplained respiratory symptoms and bilateral infiltrates on chest imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. High clinical suspicion for ASS with early appropriate therapy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents led to marked clinical improvement.
CONCLUSION: High index of suspicion for ASS is mandated in patients with unexplained ILD. A comprehensive autoimmune work-up is important as an early treatment with corticosteroids with or without immunomodulators improves patient outcomes and survival in an otherwise poor prognostic disease.

PMID: 33407281 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The landscape of somatic mutation in cerebral cortex of autistic and neurotypical individuals revealed by ultra-deep whole-genome sequencing.

Nat Neurosci. 2021 Jan 11;:

Authors: Rodin RE, Dou Y, Kwon M, Sherman MA, D'Gama AM, Doan RN, Rento LM, Girskis KM, Bohrson CL, Kim SN, Nadig A, Luquette LJ, Gulhan DC, Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network, Park PJ, Walsh CA

Abstract
We characterize the landscape of somatic mutations-mutations occurring after fertilization-in the human brain using ultra-deep (~250×) whole-genome sequencing of prefrontal cortex from 59 donors with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 15 control donors. We observe a mean of 26 somatic single-nucleotide variants per brain present in ≥4% of cells, with enrichment of mutations in coding and putative regulatory regions. Our analysis reveals that the first cell division after fertilization produces ~3.4 mutations, followed by 2-3 mutations in subsequent generations. This suggests that a typical individual possesses ~80 somatic single-nucleotide variants present in ≥2% of cells-comparable to the number of de novo germline mutations per generation-with about half of individuals having at least one potentially function-altering somatic mutation somewhere in the cortex. ASD brains show an excess of somatic mutations in neural enhancer sequences compared with controls, suggesting that mosaic enhancer mutations may contribute to ASD risk.

PMID: 33432195 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Large mosaic copy number variations confer autism risk.

Nat Neurosci. 2021 Jan 11;:

Authors: Sherman MA, Rodin RE, Genovese G, Dias C, Barton AR, Mukamel RE, Berger B, Park PJ, Walsh CA, Loh PR

Abstract
Although germline de novo copy number variants (CNVs) are known causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the contribution of mosaic (early-developmental) copy number variants (mCNVs) has not been explored. In this study, we assessed the contribution of mCNVs to ASD by ascertaining mCNVs in genotype array intensity data from 12,077 probands with ASD and 5,500 unaffected siblings. We detected 46 mCNVs in probands and 19 mCNVs in siblings, affecting 2.8-73.8% of cells. Probands carried a significant burden of large (>4-Mb) mCNVs, which were detected in 25 probands but only one sibling (odds ratio = 11.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.5-84.2, P = 7.4 × 10-4). Event size positively correlated with severity of ASD symptoms (P = 0.016). Surprisingly, we did not observe mosaic analogues of the short de novo CNVs recurrently observed in ASD (eg, 16p11.2). We further experimentally validated two mCNVs in postmortem brain tissue from 59 additional probands. These results indicate that mCNVs contribute a previously unexplained component of ASD risk.

PMID: 33432194 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Heterozygous Variants in KDM4B Lead to Global Developmental Delay and Neuroanatomical Defects.

Am J Hum Genet. 2020 12 03;107(6):1170-1177

Authors: Duncan AR, Vitobello A, Collins SC, Vancollie VE, Lelliott CJ, Rodan L, Shi J, Seman AR, Agolini E, Novelli A, Prontera P, Guillen Sacoto MJ, Santiago-Sim T, Trimouille A, Goizet C, Nizon M, Bruel AL, Philippe C, Grant PE, Wojcik MH, Stoler J, Genetti CA, van Dooren MF, Maas SM, Alders M, Faivre L, Sorlin A, Yoon G, Yalcin B, Agrawal PB

Abstract
KDM4B is a lysine-specific demethylase with a preferential activity on H3K9 tri/di-methylation (H3K9me3/2)-modified histones. H3K9 tri/di-demethylation is an important epigenetic mechanism responsible for silencing of gene expression in animal development and cancer. However, the role of KDM4B on human development is still poorly characterized. Through international data sharing, we gathered a cohort of nine individuals with mono-allelic de novo or inherited variants in KDM4B. All individuals presented with dysmorphic features and global developmental delay (GDD) with language and motor skills most affected. Three individuals had a history of seizures, and four had anomalies on brain imaging ranging from agenesis of the corpus callosum with hydrocephalus to cystic formations, abnormal hippocampi, and polymicrogyria. In mice, lysine demethylase 4B is expressed during brain development with high levels in the hippocampus, a region important for learning and memory. To understand how KDM4B variants can lead to GDD in humans, we assessed the effect of KDM4B disruption on brain anatomy and behavior through an in vivo heterozygous mouse model (Kdm4b+/-), focusing on neuroanatomical changes. In mutant mice, the total brain volume was significantly reduced with decreased size of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, and ventriculomegaly. This report demonstrates that variants in KDM4B are associated with GDD/ intellectual disability and neuroanatomical defects. Our findings suggest that KDM4B variation leads to a chromatinopathy, broadening the spectrum of this group of Mendelian disorders caused by alterations in epigenetic machinery.

PMID: 33232677 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with pituitary carcinoma: report of four cases from a phase II study.

J Immunother Cancer. 2020 Dec;8(2):

Authors: Majd N, Waguespack SG, Janku F, Fu S, Penas-Prado M, Xu M, Alshawa A, Kamiya-Matsuoka C, Raza SM, McCutcheon IE, Naing A

Abstract
Pituitary carcinoma is an aggressive tumor characterized by metastatic spread beyond the sellar region. Symptoms can be debilitating due to hormonal excess and survival is poor. Pituitary carcinomas recur despite conventional multimodality treatments. Given the recent advances in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) to treat various solid cancers, there has been interest in exploring the role of immunotherapy for treating aggressive, refractory pituitary tumors. We treated 4 patients with pituitary carcinoma with pembrolizumab as part of a phase II clinical trial. Two patients (patients 1 and 2) with functioning corticotroph pituitary carcinomas (refractory to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) had partial radiographic (60% and 32% per Immune-Related Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors, respectively) and hormonal responses. Patient 1's response continues 42 months after initiation of pembrolizumab and his tumor tissue obtained after treatment with temozolomide demonstrated a hypermutator phenotype with MSH2 and MSH6 gene mutations. Patient 2's tumor after exposure to temozolomide was not sampled, but prior somatic mutational testing was negative. One patient with a non-functioning corticotroph tumor (patient 3) had a best response of stable disease for 4 months. One patient with a prolactin-secreting carcinoma (patient 4) had progressive disease. The latter 2 patients' tumors did not demonstrate a hypermutator phenotype after treatment with temozolomide. Programmed death-ligand 1 staining was negative in all tumors. We report 2 cases of corticotroph pituitary carcinoma responsive to pembrolizumab after prior exposure to alkylating agents. The role of CPIs in treating patients with pituitary carcinoma, the relationship between tumor subtype and response to immunotherapy and mechanisms of hypermutation in this orphan disease require further study.Trial registration number: NCT02721732.

PMID: 33427689 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The molecular pathogenesis of Trichilemmal carcinoma.

BMC Cancer. 2020 Jun 03;20(1):516

Authors: Ha JH, Lee C, Lee KS, Pak CS, Sun CH, Koh Y, Chang H

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trichilemmal carcinoma (TC) is an extremely rare hair follicle tumor. We aimed to explore the genetic abnormalities involved in TC to gain insight into its molecular pathogenesis.
METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with TC within a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Genomic DNA isolated from a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block was sequenced and explored for a panel of cancer genes.
RESULTS: DNA was extracted from the FFPE tissue of four patients (50% female; mean age, 51.5 years) diagnosed with TC for analysis. The tumor was located in the head and neck of three patients and in the shoulder of one patient. TP53 mutations (p.Arg213*, p.Arg249Trp, and p.Arg248Gln) were found in three patients. Fusions previously identified in melanoma were detected in two patients (TACC3-FGFR3 and ROS1-GOPC fusions). Other mutations found included NF1-truncating mutation (Arg1362*), NRAS mutation (p.Gln61Lys), TOP1 amplification, and PTEN deletion. Overall, genetic changes found in TC resemble that of other skin cancers, suggesting similar pathogenesis. All patients with TP53 mutations had aggressive clinical course, two who died (OS 93 and 36 months), and one who experienced recurrent relapse.
CONCLUSIONS: We reported the genomic variations found in TC, which may give insight into the molecular pathogenesis. Overall, genetic changes found in TC resembled that of other skin cancers, suggesting similar pathogenesis. TP53 mutations was were identified in patients who had an aggressive clinical course. Genetic alterations identified may further suggest the potential treatment options of TC.

PMID: 32493317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

A novel approach to conducting clinical trials in the community setting: utilizing patient-driven platforms and social media to drive web-based patient recruitment.

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2020 03 13;20(1):58

Authors: Applequist J, Burroughs C, Ramirez A, Merkel PA, Rothenberg ME, Trapnell B, Desnick RJ, Sahin M, Krischer JP

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Participant recruitment for clinical research studies remains a significant challenge for researchers. Novel approaches to recruitment are necessary to ensure that populations are easier to reach. In the context of rare diseases, social media provides a unique opportunity for connecting with patient groups that have representatively lower diagnosis rates when compared with more common diseases or illness. We describe the implementation of designing a patient-centered approach to message design for the purposes of recruiting patients for clinical research studies for rare disease populations.
METHODS: Using an iterative research approach, we analyzed our previous experience of using web-based direct-to-patient recruitment methods to compare these online strategies with traditional center of excellence recruitment strategies. After choosing six research studies for inclusion in the previous study, in-depth, online interviews (n = 37) were conducted with patients represented in each disease category to develop and test recruitment message strategies for social media and a Web-based platform for patients to access study information and pre-screen. Finally, relationships were established with Patient Advocacy Groups representing each rare disease category to ensure further dissemination of recruitment materials via their own social media networks.
RESULTS: Guided by social marketing theory, we created and tested various recruitment message designs. Three key message concepts preferred by patients emerged: (1) infographic; (2) positive emotional messages; and (3) educational information for sharing. A base study website was designed and created based on data from patient interviews. This website includes the option for potential participants to pre-screen and determine their eligibility for the study.
CONCLUSIONS: Study participants report wanting to be involved in the design and implementation of recruitment approaches for clinical research studies. The application of the aforementioned methods could aide in the evolution of clinical research practices for the recruitment of both rare and common diseases, where patient-centric approaches can help to create targeted messages designs that participants pre-test and support.

PMID: 32169041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The Genomics Research and Innovation Network: creating an interoperable, federated, genomics learning system.

Genet Med. 2020 02;22(2):371-380

Authors: Mandl KD, Glauser T, Krantz ID, Avillach P, Bartels A, Beggs AH, Biswas S, Bourgeois FT, Corsmo J, Dauber A, Devkota B, Fleisher GR, Heath AP, Helbig I, Hirschhorn JN, Kilbourn J, Kong SW, Kornetsky S, Majzoub JA, Marsolo K, Martin LJ, Nix J, Schwarzhoff A, Stedman J, Strauss A, Sund KL, Taylor DM, White PS, Marsh E, Grimberg A, Hawkes C, Genomics Research and Innovation Network

Abstract
PURPOSE: Clinicians and researchers must contextualize a patient's genetic variants against population-based references with detailed phenotyping. We sought to establish globally scalable technology, policy, and procedures for sharing biosamples and associated genomic and phenotypic data on broadly consented cohorts, across sites of care.
METHODS: Three of the nation's leading children's hospitals launched the Genomic Research and Innovation Network (GRIN), with federated information technology infrastructure, harmonized biobanking protocols, and material transfer agreements. Pilot studies in epilepsy and short stature were completed to design and test the collaboration model.
RESULTS: Harmonized, broadly consented institutional review board (IRB) protocols were approved and used for biobank enrollment, creating ever-expanding, compatible biobanks. An open source federated query infrastructure was established over genotype-phenotype databases at the three hospitals. Investigators securely access the GRIN platform for prep to research queries, receiving aggregate counts of patients with particular phenotypes or genotypes in each biobank. With proper approvals, de-identified data is exported to a shared analytic workspace. Investigators at all sites enthusiastically collaborated on the pilot studies, resulting in multiple publications. Investigators have also begun to successfully utilize the infrastructure for grant applications.
CONCLUSIONS: The GRIN collaboration establishes the technology, policy, and procedures for a scalable genomic research network.

PMID: 31481752 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jan 11;14(1):e236821. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236821.

ABSTRACT

Primary Bartholin gland carcinoma (BGC) is an extremely rare disease. It typically presents in elderly women. It can be confused with Bartholin gland cyst, which is a benign condition leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. We are presenting a case report of BGC in a 35-year-old woman, which has created a diagnostic as well as therapeutic dilemma.

PMID:33431446 | PMC:PMC7802650 | DOI:10.1136/bcr-2020-236821

Orv Hetil. 2021 Jan 10;162(2):74-80. doi: 10.1556/650.2021.31950.

ABSTRACT

Összefoglaló. A Niemann-Pick-betegség autoszomális recesszíven öröklődő lizoszomális tárolási betegség, amelynek hátterében a savi szfingomielináz enzim hiánya vagy csökkent aktivitása (A-, A/B- és B-típus), illetve a Niemann-Pick C intracelluláris koleszterintranszporter fehérje deficientiája (C- és D-típus) állhat. A defektus következtében szfingomielin és koleszterin halmozódik fel a sejtek lizoszómáiban. A betegség leggyakoribb prezentációs tünete a hepatosplenomegalia miatt elődomborodó nagy has. A legsúlyosabb tünetek a progresszív neurodegeneráció következményei. A diagnózis megerősítésében elengedhetetlen a genetikai vizsgálat, amely az érintett családokban lehetőséget teremt praenatalis genetikai vizsgálatok végzésére is. A betegség idejekorán történő felismerése rendkívül fontos, hiszen napjainkban a terápiás lehetőségek egyre bővülnek. A szubsztrátredukciós, illetve enzimpótló kezeléseknek köszönhetően a hepatosplenomegalia mérsékelhető, és lassítható vagy visszafordítható a neurológiai tünetek progressziója. A szerző két esetismertetésen keresztül mutatja be a Niemann-Pick-betegség főbb típusait, klinikumát, molekuláris genetikai hátterét, és elemzi a diagnosztikus, illetve terápiás lehetőségeket. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(2): 74-80. Summary. The Niemann-Pick disease is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by the lack or decreased activity of the acid sphingomyelinase enzyme or a deficiency of the Niemann-Pick C intracellular cholesterol transporter protein. As a result of the defect, sphingomyelin and cholesterol accumulate in the lysosomes of the cells. The most common presentation symptom of the disease is abdominal protrusion due to hepatosplenomegaly. The most severe symptoms are the consequences of progressive neurodegeneration. Genetic testing is essential to confirm the diagnosis, which also allows for prenatal genetic testing in the affected families. Early detection of the disease is extremely important as therapeutic options are expanding. Thanks to substrate reduction and enzyme replacement therapies, hepatosplenomegaly can be reduced, and progression of neurological symptoms can be reversed. Through two case reports, the author presents the main types, clinical manifestations, and molecular genetic background of this rare metabolic disorder. The author describes the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to Niemann-Pick disease. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(2): 74-80.

PMID:33423026 | DOI:10.1556/650.2021.31950

Objectivity in rare disease research: A philosophical approach.

Nurs Inq. 2020 01;27(1):e12323

Authors: Hews-Girard J, Obilar HN, Camargo Plazas P

Abstract
Individuals living with rare conditions are faced with important challenges derived from the rarity of their conditions and aggravated by the low priority given to rare disease research. However, current realities of rare disease research require consideration of the relationship between subjectivity and 'traditional' objectivity. Objectivity in research has traditionally been associated with processes and descriptions that are independent of the investigator. The need for researchers to provide unbiased knowledge and achieve a balance between objectivity and the underlying values in nursing and scientific research requires an examination of how objectivity is conceptualized within the context of rare disease research. The aim of this paper is to examine scientific objectivity in rare disease research from a philosophical viewpoint and, in doing so, demonstrate the need to redefine it to reflect the current scientific environment. As such, healthcare providers working on this field need to redefine objectivity around ethical and moral obligation to advance science in an equitable manner with the end goal to produce knowledge that is trustworthy and beneficial to our patients.

PMID: 31863629 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Hierarchical Bayesian modelling of disease progression to inform clinical trial design in centronuclear myopathy.

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021 Jan 06;16(1):3

Authors: Fouarge E, Monseur A, Boulanger B, Annoussamy M, Seferian AM, De Lucia S, Lilien C, Thielemans L, Paradis K, Cowling BS, Freitag C, Carlin BP, Servais L, NatHis-MTM Study Group

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Centronuclear myopathies are severe rare congenital diseases. The clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity of these myopathies result in major challenges in clinical trial design. Alternative strategies to large placebo-controlled trials that have been used in other rare diseases (e.g., the use of surrogate markers or of historical controls) have limitations that Bayesian statistics may address. Here we present a Bayesian model that uses each patient's own natural history study data to predict progression in the absence of treatment. This prospective multicentre natural history evaluated 4-year follow-up data from 59 patients carrying mutations in the MTM1 or DNM2 genes.
METHODS: Our approach focused on evaluation of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in 6- to 18-year-old children. A patient was defined as a responder if an improvement was observed after treatment and the predictive probability of such improvement in absence of intervention was less than 0.01. An FEV1 response was considered clinically relevant if it corresponded to an increase of more than 8%.
RESULTS: The key endpoint of a clinical trial using this model is the rate of response. The power of the study is based on the posterior probability that the rate of response observed is greater than the rate of response that would be observed in the absence of treatment predicted based on the individual patient's previous natural history. In order to appropriately control for Type 1 error, the threshold probability by which the difference in response rates exceeds zero was adapted to 91%, ensuring a 5% overall Type 1 error rate for the trial.
CONCLUSIONS: Bayesian statistical analysis of natural history data allowed us to reliably simulate the evolution of symptoms for individual patients over time and to probabilistically compare these simulated trajectories to actual observed post-treatment outcomes. The proposed model adequately predicted the natural evolution of patients over the duration of the study and will facilitate a sufficiently powerful trial design that can cope with the disease's rarity. Further research and ongoing dialog with regulatory authorities are needed to allow for more applications of Bayesian statistics in orphan disease research.

PMID: 33407688 [PubMed - in process]

Leptomeningeal Relapse of Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma after 15 years.

Ir Med J. 2020 12 16;112(10):1026

Authors: Chew S, Gleeson JP, McCarthy A, Watson GA, O'Dwyer R, Nicholson S, Capra M, Owens C, McDermott M, Daly P, Grant C

Abstract
Aim Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common malignant soft tissue tumour of childhood. We present the case of a late relapse of RMS to the leptomeninges after 15 years. Methods A 20 year old male presented with a 3 week history of headaches and nausea. He previously had RMS of his right ear diagnosed at age 5 years which was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. An MRI Brain and Spine confirmed extensive leptomeningeal disease and CSF analysis confirmed the presence of recurrent embryonal RMS. Results He completed two cycles of cyclophosphamide and topotecan followed by 45Gy/25Fr of craniospinal radiotherapy. Conclusion Late relapses beyond five years can be seen in up to 9% of patients, however very late recurrences (>10 years) are exceedingly rare. Molecular based methods such as gene expression profiling can aid risk stratification and survivorship clinics may become increasingly useful in following patients with high risk features.

PMID: 32311247 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Sternoclavicular tuberculosis: an atypical imitator of refractory shoulder pain.

Int Orthop. 2020 04;44(4):693-698

Authors: Prakash J, Sareen A, Arora P, Chopra RK

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis is rare and has been presented in literature with few sporadic case reports or small case series. Rarity of the condition, nonspecific symptoms, difficulty to visualise the area on X-rays, and minimal clinical signs make diagnosis of sternoclavicular tuberculosis extremely difficult. Delay in diagnosis is therefore the common feature of all presented reports in literature. We here present our experience of treating 19 cases of sternoclavicular tuberculosis at our centre.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is an observational study from 2010 to 2017 in a tertiary care referral hospital. All patients with clinical tenderness of sternoclavicular joint and shoulder joint pain of over three week duration were subjected to MRI. Patients who showed radiological lesions (radiography/MRI) were subjected to core biopsy under image guidance. A total of 26 patients had biopsy confirmed sternoclavicular tuberculosis (TB) during this period.
RESULTS: All patients had improvement in shoulder function after treatment completion. Mean CSS pre-treatment was 29 which improved to mean of 8 after 18 months of ATT. Eight patients had excellent results, seven good, three fair, and one patient poor result. High initial ESR, late commencement of ATT from initial symptoms, and surgery of the involved joint were considered poor prognostic factors.
DISCUSSION: Sternoclavicular tuberculosis is a rare disease with controversial etiology. Both haematogenous spread through suprascapular artery and contiguous spread through latent disease in apical lungs has been postulated. Delay in diagnosis is common to most reports in literature. Early MRI is useful in diagnosis of the lesion. The treatment for sternoclavicular joint in literature is controversial with proponents of both surgery and conservative management.
CONCLUSION: Primary sternoclavicular tuberculosis is rare condition and requires a high index of suspicion for an early diagnosis. A focused sternoclavicular MRI and early biopsy may help in timely diagnosis. Early commencement of ATT has overall good clinical and functional results.

PMID: 31451848 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Retroperitoneal Lymphangioma in Adult: A Case Report.

Mymensingh Med J. 2021 Jan;30(1):224-227

Authors: Khan MH, Sultana J, Ahsan T, Alam AT

Abstract
Lymphangioma is a rare, benign tumour occurring due to congenital malformation of the lymphatic channels. It occurs due to obstruction in the lymphatic channel and results in lymphangiectasia. The tumour is most commonly encountered in the head and neck regions and almost 90% are in the children below the age of 2 years. Retroperitoneal Lymphangioma in an adult is a rare clinical condition. We have presented a 41 year old female with retroperitoneal lymphangioma who came to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh on 10 October 2017 with the non-specific complains of upper abdominal discomfort, occasional nausea, vomiting and aorexia for the last 1.5 years. She was managed surgically by exploratory laparotomy followed by de-roofing of the cyst. Histopathological examination of the cyst wall was consistent with lymphangioma.

PMID: 33397879 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Das Europäische Referenznetzwerk für seltene Lebererkrankungen (ERN RARE-LIVER): Betroffene Patienten besser versorgen, Konsilangebot für ärztliche Kollegen.

Z Gastroenterol. 2020 10;58(10):1006

Authors: Zecher B, Sebode M, Lohse AW

PMID: 33036054 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Interviews with experts in rare diseases for the development of clinical decision support system software - a qualitative study.

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2020 09 16;20(1):230

Authors: Schaaf J, Prokosch HU, Boeker M, Schaefer J, Vasseur J, Storf H, Sedlmayr M

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with rare diseases (RDs) are often diagnosed too late or not at all. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) could support the diagnosis in RDs. The MIRACUM (Medical Informatics in Research and Medicine) consortium, which is one of four funded consortia in the German Medical Informatics Initiative, will develop a CDSS for RDs based on distributed clinical data from ten university hospitals. This qualitative study aims to investigate (1) the relevant organizational conditions for the operation of a CDSS for RDs when diagnose patients (e.g. the diagnosis workflow), (2) which data is necessary for decision support, and (3) the appropriate user group for such a CDSS.
METHODS: Interviews were carried out with RDs experts. Participants were recruited from staff physicians at the Rare Disease Centers (RDCs) at the MIRACUM locations, which offer diagnosis and treatment of RDs. An interview guide was developed with a category-guided deductive approach. The interviews were recorded on an audio device and then transcribed into written form. We continued data collection until all interviews were completed. Afterwards, data analysis was performed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis approach.
RESULTS: A total of seven experts were included in the study. The results show that medical center guides and physicians from RDC B-centers (with a focus on different RDs) are involved in the diagnostic process. Furthermore, interdisciplinary case discussions between physicians are conducted. The experts explained that RDs exist which cannot be fully differentiated, but rather described only by their overall symptoms or findings: diagnosis is dependent on the disease or disease group. At the end of the diagnostic process, most centers prepare a summary of the patient case. Furthermore, the experts considered both physicians and experts from the B-centers to be potential users of a CDSS. The experts also have different experiences with CDSS for RDs.
CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative study is a first step towards establishing the requirements for the development of a CDSS for RDs. Further research is necessary to create solutions by also including the experts on RDs.

PMID: 32938448 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Pediatric bronchiectasis: An orphan disease ending in pneumonectomy: A case report.

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2020;77:822-825

Authors: Mindaye ET, Tesfay GK, Erge MG

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Bronchiectasis is chronic infectious and inflammatory disease that results in irreversible thickening and dilatation of bronchi, and significant lung function decline in children. Prompt early diagnosis and multidisciplinary intervention is crucial to control recurrent exacerbation and preserve lung function.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of pediatric bronchiectasis in a 10-year-old female who presented with a complaint of intermittent wet cough of 5 weeks' duration associated with low grade intermittent fever, shortness of breath, easy fatigability and loss of appetite. Left pneumonectomy was done through left posterolateral thoracotomy and she was discharged home in good condition.
DISCUSSION: Recurrent lower tract air way infections are the most common causes of pediatric bronchiectasis followed by primary immune deficiency, primary ciliary dyskinesia, foreign body aspiration and airway structural abnormalities. It is crucial to equip health care professionals with adequate knowledge about the disease as most pediatric patients may not have productive cough like adults leading to misdiagnosis or significant delay in diagnosis. High Resolution Computerized Tomography (HRCT) is the gold standard modality to diagnose and stratify severity of bronchiectasis.
CONCLUSION: Neglected pediatric bronchiectasis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. So, it should be considered as differential diagnosis in children with recurrent respiratory symptoms as timely and prompt diagnosis is crucial for early intervention. Surgical resection is the last option of treatment for patients with bronchiectasis mainly reserved for those with recurrent infection despite adequate medical therapy.

PMID: 33395904 [PubMed]

A Cross-Sectional Study of Nemaline Myopathy.

Neurology. 2021 Jan 04;:

Authors: Amburgey K, Acker M, Saeed S, Amin R, Beggs AH, Bönnemann CG, Brudno M, Constantinescu A, Dastgir J, Diallo M, Genetti CA, Glueck M, Hewson S, Hum C, Jain MS, Lawlor MW, Meyer OH, Nelson L, Sultanum N, Syed F, Tran T, Wang CH, Dowling JJ

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a rare neuromuscular condition with clinical and genetic heterogeneity. To establish disease natural history, we performed a cross-sectional study of NM, complemented by longitudinal assessment and exploration of pilot outcome measures.
METHODS: Fifty-seven individuals with NM were recruited at two family workshops, including 16 examined at both time points. Subjects were evaluated by clinical history and physical examination. Functional outcome measures included the Motor Function Measure (MFM), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), myometry, goniometry, and bulbar assessments.
RESULTS: The most common clinical classification was "typical congenital" (54%), whereas 42% had more severe presentations. 58% of individuals needed mechanical support, with 26% requiring wheelchair, tracheostomy, and feeding tube. The MFM scale was performed in 44/57 participants and showed reduced scores in most with little floor/ceiling effect. Of the 27 individuals completing PFTs, abnormal values were observed in 65%. Lastly, bulbar function was abnormal in all patients examined, as determined using a novel outcome measure. Genotypes included mutations in ACTA1 (18), NEB (20), and TPM2 (2). Seventeen individuals were genetically unresolved. Patients with pathogenic ACTA1 and NEB variants were largely similar in clinical phenotype. Patients without genetic resolution had more severe disease.
CONCLUSION: In all, we present a comprehensive cross-sectional study of NM. Our data identify significant disabilities and support a relatively stable disease course. We identify a need for further diagnostic investigation for the genetically unresolved group. Lastly, MFM, pulmonary function tests, and the slurp test were identified as promising outcome measures for future clinical trials.

PMID: 33397769 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Detection of Rare Objects by Flow Cytometry: Imaging, Cell Sorting, and Deep Learning Approaches.

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 27;21(7):

Authors: Voronin DV, Kozlova AA, Verkhovskii RA, Ermakov AV, Makarkin MA, Inozemtseva OA, Bratashov DN

Abstract
Flow cytometry nowadays is among the main working instruments in modern biology paving the way for clinics to provide early, quick, and reliable diagnostics of many blood-related diseases. The major problem for clinical applications is the detection of rare pathogenic objects in patient blood. These objects can be circulating tumor cells, very rare during the early stages of cancer development, various microorganisms and parasites in the blood during acute blood infections. All of these rare diagnostic objects can be detected and identified very rapidly to save a patient's life. This review outlines the main techniques of visualization of rare objects in the blood flow, methods for extraction of such objects from the blood flow for further investigations and new approaches to identify the objects automatically with the modern deep learning methods.

PMID: 32230871 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]