SPEG-deficient skeletal muscles exhibit abnormal triad and defective calcium handling.

Hum Mol Genet. 2018 05 01;27(9):1608-1617

Authors: Huntoon V, Widrick JJ, Sanchez C, Rosen SM, Kutchukian C, Cao S, Pierson CR, Liu X, Perrella MA, Beggs AH, Jacquemond V, Agrawal PB

Abstract
Centronuclear myopathies (CNM) are a subtype of congenital myopathies (CM) characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and an increase in the number of central myonuclei. We have previously identified three CNM probands, two with associated dilated cardiomyopathy, carrying striated preferentially expressed gene (SPEG) mutations. Currently, the role of SPEG in skeletal muscle function is unclear as constitutive SPEG-deficient mice developed severe dilated cardiomyopathy and died in utero. We have generated a conditional Speg-KO mouse model and excised Speg by crosses with striated muscle-specific cre-expressing mice (MCK-Cre). The resulting litters had a delay in Speg excision consistent with cre expression starting in early postnatal life and, therefore, an extended lifespan up to a few months. KO mice were significantly smaller and weaker than their littermate-matched controls. Histopathological skeletal muscle analysis revealed smaller myofibers, marked fiber-size variability, and poor integrity and low number of triads. Further, SPEG-deficient muscle fibers were weaker by physiological and in vitro studies and exhibited abnormal Ca2+ handling and excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Overall, SPEG deficiency in skeletal muscle is associated with fewer and abnormal triads, and defective calcium handling and excitation-contraction coupling, suggesting that therapies targeting calcium signaling may be beneficial in such patients.

PMID: 29474540 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Point-of-care ultrasound for diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases: an unusual case of a peculiar thrombus in transit].

Emergencias. 2017 10;29(5):361-362

Authors: Lazzari R, Moline Pareja A, Turbau Valls M

PMID: 29077302 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Erythematous Nodule on the Face of a Child: Challenge.

Am J Dermatopathol. 2018 Sep;40(9):e119-e120

Authors: Biederman L, Bhatti T, Taylor JA, Rubin AI

PMID: 30124487 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Erythematous Nodule on the Face of a Child: Answer.

Am J Dermatopathol. 2018 Sep;40(9):699-700

Authors: Biederman L, Bhatti T, Taylor JA, Rubin AI

PMID: 30119103 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

ROHHAD Syndrome, a Rare Cause of Hypothalamic Obesity: Report of Two Cases

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2018 11 29;10(4):382-386

Authors: Şiraz ÜG, Ökdemir D, Direk G, Akın L, Hatipoğlu N, Kendirci M, Kurtoğlu S

Abstract
Rapid-onset obesity with hypoventilation, hypothalamic dysfunction and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnosis and distinguish from genetic obesity syndromes. The underlying causes of the disease have not been fully explained. Hypothalamic dysfunction causes endocrine problems, respiratory dysfunction and autonomic alterations. Currently there are around 80 reported patients although this is likely due to underdiagnosis due to lack of recognition. We present two female patients suspected of ROHHAD due to weight gain starting in early childhood. Clinical and biochemical findings such as respiratory and circulatory dysfunction, hypothalamic hypernatremia, central hypothyrodism, hyperprolactinemia and central early puberty in these patients matched the criteria for ROHHAD syndrome. ROHHAD syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of monogenic obesity.

PMID: 29553042 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Platelet Frataxin as a Protein Biomarker for the Rare Disease Friedreich's Ataxia.

Anal Chem. 2018 02 06;90(3):2216-2223

Authors: Guo L, Wang Q, Weng L, Hauser LA, Strawser CJ, Rocha AG, Dancis A, Mesaros C, Lynch DR, Blair IA

Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by an intronic GAA triplet expansion in the FXN gene, leading to reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. FA is estimated to affect 1 in 50 000 with a mean age of death in the fourth decade of life. There are no approved treatments for FA, although experimental approaches, which involve up-regulation or replacement of frataxin protein, are being tested. Frataxin is undetectable in serum or plasma, and whole blood cannot be used because it is present in long-lived erythrocytes. Therefore, an assay was developed for analyzing frataxin in platelets, which have a half-life of 10 days. The assay is based on stable isotope dilution immunopurification two-dimensional nano-ultra high performance liquid chromatography/parallel reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry. The lower limit of quantification was 0.078 pg frataxin/μg protein, and the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between controls and FA cases. The mean levels of control and FA platelet frataxin were 9.4 ± 2.6 and 2.4 ± 0.6 pg/μg protein, respectively. The assay should make it possible to rigorously monitor the effects of therapeutic interventions on frataxin expression in this devastating disease.

PMID: 29272104 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cryptococcoma mimicking a brain tumor in an immunocompetent patient: case report of an extremely rare presentation.

Sao Paulo Med J. 2018 Sep-Oct;136(5):492-496

Authors: Paiva ALC, Aguiar GB, Lovato RM, Zanetti AVD, Panagopoulos AT, Veiga JCE

Abstract
CONTEXT: Central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases have high prevalence in developing countries and their proper diagnosis and treatment are very important for public health planning. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that may cause several CNS manifestations, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common type of involvement. Mass-effect lesions are uncommon: they are described as cryptococcomas and their prevalence is even lower among immunocompetent patients. The aim here was to report an extremely rare case of cryptococcoma causing a mass effect and mimicking a brain tumor in an immunocompetent patient. The literature on CNS cryptococcal infections was reviewed with emphasis on cryptococcomas. Clinical, surgical and radiological data on a female patient with this rare presentation of cryptococcoma mimicking a brain tumor are described.
CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a rapid-onset progressive history of confusion and completely dependency for basic activities. Neuroimaging showed a left occipital lesion and neurosurgical treatment was proposed. From histopathological evaluation, a diagnosis of cryptococcoma was established. She received clinical support with antifungals, but despite optimal clinical treatment, her condition evolved to death.
CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal infections have several forms of presentation and, in immunocompetent patients, their manifestation may be even more different. Cryptococcoma is an extremely rare presentation in which proper surgical and clinical treatment should be instituted as quickly as possible, but even so, there is a high mortality rate.

PMID: 29116307 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"

These pubmed results were generated on 2019/02/07

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

7 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"

These pubmed results were generated on 2019/02/06

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

20 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"

These pubmed results were generated on 2019/02/05

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

20 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"

These pubmed results were generated on 2019/02/05

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

Mammalian Hbs1L deficiency causes congenital anomalies and developmental delay associated with Pelota depletion and 80S monosome accumulation.

PLoS Genet. 2019 Feb 01;15(2):e1007917

Authors: O'Connell AE, Gerashchenko MV, O'Donohue MF, Rosen SM, Huntzinger E, Gleeson D, Galli A, Ryder E, Cao S, Murphy Q, Kazerounian S, Morton SU, Schmitz-Abe K, Gladyshev VN, Gleizes PE, Séraphin B, Agrawal PB

Abstract
Hbs1 has been established as a central component of the cell's translational quality control pathways in both yeast and prokaryotic models; however, the functional characteristics of its human ortholog (Hbs1L) have not been well-defined. We recently reported a novel human phenotype resulting from a mutation in the critical coding region of the HBS1L gene characterized by facial dysmorphism, severe growth restriction, axial hypotonia, global developmental delay and retinal pigmentary deposits. Here we further characterize downstream effects of the human HBS1L mutation. HBS1L has three transcripts in humans, and RT-PCR demonstrated reduced mRNA levels corresponding with transcripts V1 and V2 whereas V3 expression was unchanged. Western blot analyses revealed Hbs1L protein was absent in the patient cells. Additionally, polysome profiling revealed an abnormal aggregation of 80S monosomes in patient cells under baseline conditions. RNA and ribosomal sequencing demonstrated an increased translation efficiency of ribosomal RNA in Hbs1L-deficient fibroblasts, suggesting that there may be a compensatory increase in ribosome translation to accommodate the increased 80S monosome levels. This enhanced translation was accompanied by upregulation of mTOR and 4-EBP protein expression, suggesting an mTOR-dependent phenomenon. Furthermore, lack of Hbs1L caused depletion of Pelota protein in both patient cells and mouse tissues, while PELO mRNA levels were unaffected. Inhibition of proteasomal function partially restored Pelota expression in human Hbs1L-deficient cells. We also describe a mouse model harboring a knockdown mutation in the murine Hbs1l gene that shared several of the phenotypic elements observed in the Hbs1L-deficient human including facial dysmorphism, growth restriction and retinal deposits. The Hbs1lKO mice similarly demonstrate diminished Pelota levels that were rescued by proteasome inhibition.

PMID: 30707697 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Diagnosis of Mucopolysaccharidosis Based on History and Clinical Features: Evidence from the Bajio Region of Mexico.

Cureus. 2018 Nov 20;10(11):e3617

Authors: Colmenares-Bonilla D, Colin-Gonzalez C, Gonzalez-Segoviano A, Esquivel Garcia E, Vela-Huerta MM, Lopez-Gomez FG

Abstract
Introduction Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are infrequent deposit diseases; generally, the diagnosis is delayed until symptoms appear. Age or presentation is related to the severity of the disease. A substantial number of patients are misdiagnosed since they describe nonspecific initial symptoms and signs in common. The aim of this study is to describe the common characteristics of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis already diagnosed, treated in hospitals of the Guanajuato Health System, with a special focus on early manifestations in order to review early clinical suspect manifestations. Methods A multicenter, descriptive, observational study was conducted to evaluate the cases of mucopolysaccharidosis treated and diagnosed. The study was carried out in the Pediatric departments of five big important hospitals of Bajio Mexico region in the period from February to August 2016. Results Eighteen patients were identified, 13 men and five women, with an average age of 8.6 years. The most frequent mucopolysaccharidosis was type IV A (Morquio) in seven patients, followed by type I (Hurler) in four patients, three patients for type III (San Filippo), two patients for type II (Hunter), and two patients for type VI (Maroteaux-Lamie). The commonest clinical manifestations at diagnosis were dimorphism, triangular dorsal hump, skeletal alterations (genu valgus, short stature, and flat feet), and a limited range of movement in the major joints. Non-skeletal manifestations, such as an umbilical/inguinal hernia and hepato-splenomegaly, were very frequent. In a majority of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis, the radiological data of the disease were found: they were most severe in type IV and type VI, mild in type I and II, and none in MPS III. A diagnosis was made in all patients by a clinical and radiological evaluation and confirmed by an enzymatic study. Conclusions In all rare diseases, a suspicion diagnosis is based on subtle characteristics that manifest themselves in a few different organs and systems may be mild. Suspicion by the physician and the need to strengthen collaboration patterns between different specialities play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

PMID: 30705788 [PubMed]

Targeting Glucosylceramide Synthesis in the Treatment of Rare and Common Renal Disease.

Semin Nephrol. 2018 03;38(2):183-192

Authors: Shayman JA

Abstract
Sphingolipids, including ceramides, glycosphingolipids, sphingomyelin, and sphingosine-1-phosphate, have been recognized as important molecules that regulate critical cellular functions. Although originally studied in the context of lysosomal storage diseases, the roles of these compounds in more common disorders involving metabolism, vascular disease, and aberrant growth has been the focus of recent studies, including in disorders that affect the kidneys. These efforts have led to new insights into Fabry disease, a classic disorder of lysosomal function that results in renal failure as well as in more common renal diseases including diabetic nephropathy and polycystic kidney disease. Pathways for glycosphingolipid synthesis can be targeted with orally available small-molecule inhibitors, creating new opportunities for the treatment of both rare and common kidney diseases.

PMID: 29602400 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Urine cell-free DNA is a biomarker for nephroblastomatosis or Wilms tumor in PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS).

Genet Med. 2018 09;20(9):1077-1081

Authors: Biderman Waberski M, Lindhurst M, Keppler-Noreuil KM, Sapp JC, Baker L, Gripp KW, Adams DM, Biesecker LG

Abstract
PURPOSE: We set out to facilitate the molecular diagnosis of patients with PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS), a heterogeneous somatic disorder characterized by variable presentations of segmental overgrowth, vascular malformations, skin lesions, and nephroblastomatosis, rare precursor lesions to Wilms tumor. Molecular diagnosis of PROS is challenging due to its mosaic nature, often requiring invasive biopsies.
METHODS: Digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was used to analyze tissues including urine, saliva, buccal cells, and blood, from eight patients with PROS. Further analyses were performed on plasma and urine cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
RESULTS: PIK3CA variants were detected in plasma cfDNA at levels up to 0.5% in 50% of tested samples. In addition, high levels of PIK3CA variants in urine cfDNA correlated with a history of nephroblastomatosis compared with patients without renal involvement (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Digital droplet PCR is a sensitive molecular tool that enables low-level variant detection of PIK3CA in various tissue types, providing an alternative diagnostic method. Furthermore, urine cfDNA is a candidate biomarker for nephroblastomatosis in PROS, which may be useful to refine screening guidelines for tumor risk in these patients.

PMID: 29300373 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Ribosome Levels Selectively Regulate Translation and Lineage Commitment in Human Hematopoiesis.

Cell. 2018 03 22;173(1):90-103.e19

Authors: Khajuria RK, Munschauer M, Ulirsch JC, Fiorini C, Ludwig LS, McFarland SK, Abdulhay NJ, Specht H, Keshishian H, Mani DR, Jovanovic M, Ellis SR, Fulco CP, Engreitz JM, Schütz S, Lian J, Gripp KW, Weinberg OK, Pinkus GS, Gehrke L, Regev A, Lander ES, Gazda HT, Lee WY, Panse VG, Carr SA, Sankaran VG

Abstract
Blood cell formation is classically thought to occur through a hierarchical differentiation process, although recent studies have shown that lineage commitment may occur earlier in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The relevance to human blood diseases and the underlying regulation of these refined models remain poorly understood. By studying a genetic blood disorder, Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), where the majority of mutations affect ribosomal proteins and the erythroid lineage is selectively perturbed, we are able to gain mechanistic insight into how lineage commitment is programmed normally and disrupted in disease. We show that in DBA, the pool of available ribosomes is limited, while ribosome composition remains constant. Surprisingly, this global reduction in ribosome levels more profoundly alters translation of a select subset of transcripts. We show how the reduced translation of select transcripts in HSPCs can impair erythroid lineage commitment, illuminating a regulatory role for ribosome levels in cellular differentiation.

PMID: 29551269 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Colorectal follicular lymphoma: A case report.

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jan;98(3):e13985

Authors: Wang ML, Chang J, Huang H, Fu W, Niu YC, Lu ML, Shrestha S

Abstract
RATIONALE: Considering the low incidence of colorectal follicular lymphoma (FL) and its clinical features in endoscopic views, only a few studies have described the pathological diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This study aimed to reveal the overall process of clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal FL by conducting a case review.
PATIENT CONCERNS: A 27-year-old female presented to our department because of "severe bloody stool" lasting for more than 1 month. Her primary symptom was melena. Colonoscopy revealed widespread flat polyps with various immunophenotypes (CD10+, BCL2+, BCL6+, cyclin D1-, CD5-) in the colorectal area.
DIAGNOSIS: In accordance with manifestations on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT), the patient was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal FL.
INTERVENTIONS: PET/CT reexamination after 2 courses of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, liposomal doxorubicin, vincristine sulfate, and hydroprednisone (R-CHOP) regimen and 3 courses of R-CHOP plus etoposide regimen for chemotherapy indicated a significant reduction in tumor burden. Subsequently, rituximab was administered alone in 2 treatment courses.
OUTCOMES: Lesions on PET/CT disappeared after reexamination. No recurrence was observed within the 12-month follow-up period.
LESSONS: Colorectal FL is a rare disease with an inert clinical course and is common in the ileocecal area. Endoscopic views show multiple polyps. Interventional treatment is usually provided after observation of clinical symptoms or during disease progression. The disease has a relatively good prognosis.

PMID: 30653103 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Implementing a population-based rare diseases registry in Spain: the Navarre´s experience].

Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2018 Nov 19;92:

Authors: Vicente E, Guevara M, Lasanta MJ, Ramos-Arroyo MA, Ardanaz E

Abstract
In 2012, the Spanish Rare Disease Registries Research Network (Spain-RDR) was consolidated with the aim of creating a Spanish population-based Rare Diseases Registry. In order to achieve this, each of the 17 Spanish Regions had to develop its own regional registry with a common agreed methodology. The Population-based Rare Disease Registry of Navarre was created in 2013 and, since then, its implementation is been carried out. Navarre assumed the agreed list within the Spanish Network, which included 934 codes of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification. Initially, the main data source used to capture cases was the Assisted Morbidity Registry of Navarre, which includes the Minimum Basic Data Set of every regional hospital discharges (both public and private). Afterwards, new data sources were been added and ongoing validation studies of captured cases were been developed. Population-based rare diseases registries are fundamental for the study and quantification of this type of diseases since the classification and coding systems used in the current healthcare information systems are very nonspecific. The analysis and cross-referencing of data among multiple data sources is essential to maximize case detection capacity. Due to the low prevalence of these diseases, a high false positives rate among the detected cases greatly affects the estimation of epidemiological indicators, which makes it necessary to validate the cases by verifying the diagnoses.

PMID: 30442882 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Isavuconazole treatment for rare fungal diseases and for invasive aspergillosis in patients with renal impairment: Challenges and lessons of the VITAL trial.

Mycoses. 2018 Jul;61(7):420-429

Authors: Perfect JR, Cornely OA, Heep M, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Mullane KM, Maher R, Croos-Dabrera R, Lademacher C, Engelhardt M, Chen C, Marty FM

Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) confers a substantial risk for morbidity and mortality to immunocompromised patients. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most common IFD caused by moulds but the prevalence of other rare mould diseases, such as mucormycosis, hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis, may be increasing. Treatments are available for IA, but evidence to support efficacy and safety of antifungal agents for rare IFDs, or for IFDs in special patient populations, is limited or lacking. The VITAL trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for the treatment of patients with IA and renal impairment, or with IFDs caused by rare moulds, yeasts or dimorphic fungi. These patients stand to benefit most from a new treatment option but are unlikely to be included in a randomised, controlled trial. In this article, we review the challenges faced in the design and conduct of the VITAL trial. We also review the findings of VITAL, which included evidence of the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole. Finally, we consider the importance of trials such as VITAL to inform therapeutic decision making for clinicians faced with the challenge of treating patients with rare IFDs and as one paradigm of how to determine efficacy and safety of new drugs for rare and resistant infections without a suitable comparator.

PMID: 29570857 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Quantitative natural history characterization in a cohort of 142 published cases of patients with galactosialidosis-A cross-sectional study.

J Inherit Metab Dis. 2018 Dec 27;:

Authors: Sláma T, Garbade SF, Kölker S, Hoffmann GF, Ries M

Abstract
Galactosialidosis (GS; OMIM #256540) is a rare multisystemic inborn glycoprotein storage disease caused by biallelic mutations in the cathepsin A gene resulting in combined deficiency of the lysosomal enzymes β-galactosidase and α-neuraminidase. The precise understanding of the natural course of the disease is limited. Development of enzyme replacement therapy is at the preclinical stage. The purpose of this research project was to quantitatively characterize the natural history of the condition. Quantitative analysis of all published cases in the literature with sufficient data (N = 142 patients) was carried out. Main outcome variables were survival, diagnostic delay, description of symptoms, biomarker-phenotype associations, and radiological findings. STROBE criteria were respected. Median survival age of the cohort was 48 years. Median age of onset was 4.25 years with interquartile range (IQR) 1 to 16 years. Median age at diagnosis was 19 (IQR: 8.92-29) years, with median diagnostic delay of 8 (IQR: 4-12) years. Patients with residual β-galactosidase activity of more than 8.6% (leukocytes) survived significantly longer than patients with lower enzyme activities.

PMID: 30693535 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]