Orphan or Rare Diseases

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"; +9 new citations

Wed, 2018-04-18 08:52

9 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 2018/04/18

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.

Categories: Literature Watch

[Development of a product anti-Shiga toxin for prevention of the hemolytic uremic syndrome].

Tue, 2018-04-17 08:22
Related Articles

[Development of a product anti-Shiga toxin for prevention of the hemolytic uremic syndrome].

Medicina (B Aires). 2018;78(2):107-112

Authors: Hiriart Y, Pardo R, Bukata L, Lauché C, Muñoz L, Colonna M, Goldbaum F, Sanguineti S, Zylberman V

Abstract
The typical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an orphan disease caused by Shiga toxin(Stx) producing Escherichia coli strains and characterized by acute kidney damage, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and low platelet count. It is endemic in Argentina, the country with the highest incidence of HUS in the world. Stx is essential for its development and therefore, HUS is considered a toxemic non-bacteremic disorder, which could be treated with antibodies. Herein we describe the development of a new treatment capable of neutralizing the toxic effect of Stx and its variants. The treatment consists of F(ab')2 fragments from an equine antiserum whose efficacy and potency against Stx1 and Stx2 were proved in different preclinical models. The product was shown to be safe in animals. Furthermore, the anti-Stx F(ab')2 pharmacokinetic was shown to be similar to that of analogous compounds and a therapeutic window for its administration was determined. Altogether, these preclinical results warrant testing in humans. The phase I clinical trial will be performed at the Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of the product in healthy adult volunteers. Based on the results of this study, a phase II clinical trial will be planned in pediatric patients diagnosed with infection by Stx-producing E. coli strains.

PMID: 29659360 [PubMed - in process]

Categories: Literature Watch

Large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma induces peripheral T-cell repertoire alterations with predictive and prognostic significance.

Tue, 2018-04-17 08:22
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Large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma induces peripheral T-cell repertoire alterations with predictive and prognostic significance.

Lung Cancer. 2018 May;119:48-55

Authors: Christopoulos P, Schneider MA, Bozorgmehr F, Kuon J, Engel-Riedel W, Kollmeier J, Baum V, Muley T, Schnabel PA, Bischoff H, Grohé C, Serke M, Thomas M, Fisch P, Meister M

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate for a potentially important role of T cells in the pathophysiology and treatment sensitivity of large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma (LCNEC), an orphan disease with poor prognosis and scarce data to guide novel therapeutic strategies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain spectratyping on blood samples of patients treated within the CRAD001KDE37 trial (n = 35) using age-matched current or former (n = 11) and never smokers (n = 10) as controls. The data were analyzed in conjunction with the complete blood counts of the probands as well as the data about response to treatment and overall survival in the clinical trial.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Untreated stage IV LCNEC patients had significant T-cell repertoire alterations (p < 0.001) compared to age-matched smokers. These changes correlated positively with blood lymphocyte counts (r = 0.49, p < 0.01), suggesting antigen-induced T-cell proliferation as the causative mechanism. At the same time, LCNEC patients showed mild lymphopenia (1.54 vs. 2.51/nl in median, p < 0.01), which reveals a second, antigen-independent mechanism of systemic immune dysregulation. More pronounced T-cell repertoire alterations and higher blood lymphocyte counts at diagnosis were associated with a better treatment response by RECIST and with a longer overall survival (441 vs. 157 days in median, p = 0.019). A higher degree of T-cell repertoire normalization after 3 months of therapy also distinguished a patient group with more favourable prognosis (median overall survival 617 vs. 316 days, p = 0.036) independent of radiological response. Thus, LCNEC induces clinically relevant changes of the T-cell repertoire, which are measurable in the blood and could be exploited for prognostic, predictive and therapeutic purposes. Their pathogenesis appears to involve antigen-induced oligoclonal T-cell expansions superimposed on TCR-independent lymphopenia.

PMID: 29656752 [PubMed - in process]

Categories: Literature Watch

Sustainable public health systems for rare diseases.

Tue, 2018-04-17 08:22
Related Articles

Sustainable public health systems for rare diseases.

Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2017 Apr-Jun;53(2):170-175

Authors: Ferrelli RM, Gentile AE, De Santis M, Taruscio D

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In the framework of the Joint Action for Rare Diseases (RD-ACTION), a specific task was defined to identify mechanisms influencing sustainability, equity and resilience of health systems for rare diseases (RDs).
METHOD: Literature narrative review on health systems sustainability and resilience for RDs. Years: 2000-2015. Databases: PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOHost, EMBAL, PASCAL, EMBASE, STN International and GoogleScholar.
ANALYSIS: interpretive synthesis concept and thematic analysis (Dixon-Wood, et al.).
RESULTS: 97 papers and 4 grey literature publications were identified. Two main topics stand out: economic evaluation and networks. The first topic did not identify widely accepted criterion to assign more weight to individuals with greater health needs. Healthcare network are identified as increasingly important for sustainability and resilience, in all of their aspects: professional "expertise", "experience" networks of users and carers; policy, learning, and interest networks.
CONCLUSION: Possible mechanisms for ensuring sustainability can be identified in networking, patients' empowerment and reorienting healthcare towards integrated community and home care.

PMID: 28617266 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Expanding the clinical spectrum of biallelic ZNF335 variants.

Sat, 2018-04-14 10:08
Related Articles

Expanding the clinical spectrum of biallelic ZNF335 variants.

Clin Genet. 2018 Apr 13;:

Authors: Stouffs K, Stergachis AB, Vanderhasselt T, Dica A, Janssens S, Vandervore L, Gheldof A, Bodamer O, Keymolen K, Seneca S, Liebaers I, Jayaraman D, Hill HE, Partlow JN, Walsh CA, Jansen AC

Abstract
ZNF335 plays an essential role in neurogenesis and biallelic variants in ZNF335 have been identified as the cause of severe primary autosomal recessive microcephaly in two unrelated families. We describe herein two additional affected individuals with biallelic ZNF335 variants, one individual with a homozygous c.1399T>C, p.(Cys467Arg) variant, and a second individual with compound heterozygous c.2171_2173delTCT, p.(Phe724del) and c.3998A>G, p.(Glu1333Gly) variants in ZNF335; with the latter variant predicted to affect splicing. Whereas the first case presented with early death and a severe phenotype characterized by anterior agyria with prominent extra-axial spaces, absent basal ganglia, and hypoplasia of the brainstem and cerebellum, the second case had a milder clinical presentation with hypomyelination and otherwise preserved brain structures on MRI. Our findings expand the clinical spectrum of ZNF335 associated microcephaly.

PMID: 29652087 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Aspm knockout ferret reveals an evolutionary mechanism governing cerebral cortical size.

Fri, 2018-04-13 06:32

Aspm knockout ferret reveals an evolutionary mechanism governing cerebral cortical size.

Nature. 2018 Apr 11;:

Authors: Johnson MB, Sun X, Kodani A, Borges-Monroy R, Girskis KM, Ryu SC, Wang PP, Patel K, Gonzalez DM, Woo YM, Yan Z, Liang B, Smith RS, Chatterjee M, Coman D, Papademetris X, Staib LH, Hyder F, Mandeville JB, Grant PE, Im K, Kwak H, Engelhardt JF, Walsh CA, Bae BI

Abstract
The human cerebral cortex is distinguished by its large size and abundant gyrification, or folding. However, the evolutionary mechanisms that drive cortical size and structure are unknown. Although genes that are essential for cortical developmental expansion have been identified from the genetics of human primary microcephaly (a disorder associated with reduced brain size and intellectual disability) 1 , studies of these genes in mice, which have a smooth cortex that is one thousand times smaller than the cortex of humans, have provided limited insight. Mutations in abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated (ASPM), the most common recessive microcephaly gene, reduce cortical volume by at least 50% in humans2-4, but have little effect on the brains of mice5-9; this probably reflects evolutionarily divergent functions of ASPM10,11. Here we used genome editing to create a germline knockout of Aspm in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo), a species with a larger, gyrified cortex and greater neural progenitor cell diversity12-14 than mice, and closer protein sequence homology to the human ASPM protein. Aspm knockout ferrets exhibit severe microcephaly (25-40% decreases in brain weight), reflecting reduced cortical surface area without significant change in cortical thickness, as has been found in human patients3,4, suggesting that loss of 'cortical units' has occurred. The cortex of fetal Aspm knockout ferrets displays a very large premature displacement of ventricular radial glial cells to the outer subventricular zone, where many resemble outer radial glia, a subtype of neural progenitor cells that are essentially absent in mice and have been implicated in cerebral cortical expansion in primates12-16. These data suggest an evolutionary mechanism by which ASPM regulates cortical expansion by controlling the affinity of ventricular radial glial cells for the ventricular surface, thus modulating the ratio of ventricular radial glial cells, the most undifferentiated cell type, to outer radial glia, a more differentiated progenitor.

PMID: 29643508 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Drugs for rare disorders.

Fri, 2018-04-13 06:32
Related Articles

Drugs for rare disorders.

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;83(8):1607-1613

Authors: Cremers S, Aronson JK

Abstract
Estimates of the frequencies of rare disorders vary from country to country; the global average defined prevalence is 40 per 100 000 (0.04%). Some occur in only one or a few patients. However, collectively rare disorders are fairly common, affecting 6-8% of the US population, or about 30 million people, and a similar number in the European Union. Most of them affect children and most are genetically determined. Diagnosis can be difficult, partly because of variable presentations and partly because few clinicians have experience of individual rare disorders, although they may be assisted by searching databases. Relatively few rare disorders have specific pharmacological treatments (so-called orphan drugs), partly because of difficulties in designing trials large enough to determine benefits and harms alike. Incentives have been introduced to encourage the development of orphan drugs, including tax credits and research aids, simplification of marketing authorization procedures and exemption from fees, and extended market exclusivity. Consequently, the number of applications for orphan drugs has grown, as have the costs of using them, so much so that treatments may not be cost-effective. It has therefore been suggested that not-for-profit organizations that are socially motivated to reduce those costs should be tasked with producing them. A growing role for patient organizations, improved clinical and translational infrastructures, and developments in genetics have also contributed to successful drug development. The translational discipline of clinical pharmacology is an essential component in drug development, including orphan drugs. Clinical pharmacologists, skilled in basic pharmacology and its links to clinical medicine, can be involved at all stages. They can contribute to the delineation of genetic factors that determine clinical outcomes of pharmacological interventions, develop biomarkers, design and perform clinical trials, assist regulatory decision making, and conduct postmarketing surveillance and pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomic assessments.

PMID: 28653488 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Comparative study of p16 protein expression in squamous cell carcinomas from patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis and patients without the disease.

Fri, 2018-04-13 06:32
Related Articles

Comparative study of p16 protein expression in squamous cell carcinomas from patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis and patients without the disease.

Arch Dermatol Res. 2017 Aug;309(6):479-483

Authors: Mattos MSG, Oliveira WR, Sotto MN

Abstract
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis associated with susceptibility to beta-human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. EV patients develop disseminated warts and non-melanoma skin cancer, mainly squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) that are locally aggressive. EV pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, but alterations in the p16 gene play a role in the pathogenesis of neoplasms caused by high-risk genital HPV. To explore its role in EV lesions, we compared p16 expression in SCC from patients with and without EV. Tissue microarray slides composed of 27 SCC from EV patients, and 35 from non-EV patients were stained with an anti-p16 antibody. Twenty (74%) EV tumors exhibited diffuse (nuclear and cytoplasmic) p16 expression, one (4%) displayed focal expression, and six (22%) displayed no p16 staining. Eleven (31%) SCC from non-EV patients presented diffuse p16 staining, 14 (40%) displayed focal expression and 10 (29%) did not express p16. The frequency of diffuse p16 expression was higher in EV tumors than in SCC from patients without EV. The frequency of diffuse p16 expression in moderately and poorly differentiated EV-SCC was similarly higher than non-EV tumors with the same degree of differentiation. The diffuse expression of p16 in EV-SCC suggests that changes in the p16 gene, probably resulting in a functionally defective protein, may be one factor determining the locally aggressive clinical behavior of SCC in young EV patients.

PMID: 28439661 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

PhenX measures for phenotyping rare genetic conditions.

Fri, 2018-04-13 06:32
Related Articles

PhenX measures for phenotyping rare genetic conditions.

Genet Med. 2017 Jul;19(7):834-837

Authors: Phillips M, Grant T, Giampietro P, Bodurtha J, Valdez R, Maiese DR, Hendershot T, Terry SF, Hamilton CM

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The PhenX Toolkit, an online resource of well-established measures of phenotypes and exposures, now has 16 new measures recommended for assessing rare genetic conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: These measures and their protocols were selected by a working group of domain experts with input from the scientific community.
RESULTS: The measures, which cover life stages from birth through adulthood, include clinical scales, characterization of rare genetic conditions, bioassays, and questionnaires. Most are broadly applicable to rare genetic conditions (e.g., family history, growth charts, bone age, and body proportions). Some protocols (e.g., sweat chloride test) target specific conditions.
DISCUSSION: The rare genetic condition measures complement the existing measures in the PhenX Toolkit that cover anthropometrics, demographics, mental health, and reproductive history. They are directed at research pertaining to common and complex diseases. PhenX measures are publicly available and are recommended to help standardize assessments across a range of biomedical study designs. To facilitate incorporation of measures into human subjects' research, the Toolkit offers data collection worksheets and compatible data dictionaries.
CONCLUSION: Widespread use of standard PhenX measures in clinical, translational, and epidemiological research will enable more uniform cross-study comparisons and increase statistical power with the potential for enhancing scientific discovery.Genet Med advance online publication 12 January 2017.

PMID: 28079902 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Erythromelalgia: a cutaneous manifestation of neuropathy?

Thu, 2018-04-12 12:07

Erythromelalgia: a cutaneous manifestation of neuropathy?

An Bras Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;93(1):86-94

Authors: Leroux MB

Abstract
The low prevalence of erythromelalgia, classified as an orphan disease, poses diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The aim of this review is to be an update of the specialized bibliography. Erythromelalgia is an infrequent episodic acrosyndrome affecting mainly both lower limbs symmetrically with the classic triad of erythema, warmth and burning pain. Primary erythromelalgia is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder, while secondary is associated with myeloproliferative diseases, among others. In its etiopathogenesis, there are neural and vascular abnormalities that can be combined. The diagnosis is based on exhaustive clinical history and physical examination. Complications are due to changes in the skin barrier function, ischemia and compromise of cutaneous nerves. Because of the complexity of its pathogenesis, erythromelalgia should always be included in the differential diagnosis of conditions that cause chronic pain and/or peripheral edema. The prevention of crisis is based on a strict control of triggers and promotion of preventive measures. Since there is no specific and effective treatment, control should focus on the underlying disease. However, there are numerous topical and systemic therapies that patients can benefit from.

PMID: 29641704 [PubMed - in process]

Categories: Literature Watch

Cancer drug funding decisions in Scotland: impact of new end-of-life, orphan and ultra-orphan processes.

Thu, 2018-04-12 12:07
Related Articles

Cancer drug funding decisions in Scotland: impact of new end-of-life, orphan and ultra-orphan processes.

BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Aug 30;17(1):613

Authors: Morrell L, Wordsworth S, Fu H, Rees S, Barker R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Scottish Medicines Consortium evaluates new drugs for use in the National Health Service in Scotland. Reforms in 2014 to their evaluation process aimed to increase patient access to new drugs for end-of-life or rare conditions; the changes include additional steps in the process to gain further information from patients and clinicians, and for revised commercial agreements. This study examines the extent of any impact of the reforms on funding decisions.
METHOD: Data on the Scottish Medicines Consortium's funding decisions during 24 months post-reform were extracted from published Advice, for descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Comparison data were extracted for the 24 months pre-reform. Data on decisions for England by the National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence for the same drugs were extracted from published Technology Appraisals.
RESULTS: The new process was used by 90% (53/59) of cancer submissions. It is triggered if the initial advice is not to recommend, and this risk-of-rejection level is higher than in the pre-period. Thirty-eight cancer drugs obtained some level of funding through the new process, but there was no significant difference in the distribution of decision types compared to the pre-reform period. Thematic analysis of patient and clinician input showed no clear relationship between issues raised and funding decision. Differences between SMC's and NICE's definitions of End-of-Life did not fully explain differences in funding decisions.
CONCLUSIONS: The Scottish Medicines Consortium's reforms have allowed funding of up to 38 cancer drugs that might previously have been rejected. However, the contribution of specific elements of the reforms to the final decision is unclear. The process could be improved by increased transparency in how the non-quantitative inputs influence decisions. Some disparities in funding decisions between England and Scotland are likely to remain despite recent process convergence.

PMID: 28854927 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

ANCA-associated vasculitis in childhood: recent advances.

Thu, 2018-04-12 12:07
Related Articles

ANCA-associated vasculitis in childhood: recent advances.

Ital J Pediatr. 2017 May 05;43(1):46

Authors: Calatroni M, Oliva E, Gianfreda D, Gregorini G, Allinovi M, Ramirez GA, Bozzolo EP, Monti S, Bracaglia C, Marucci G, Bodria M, Sinico RA, Pieruzzi F, Moroni G, Pastore S, Emmi G, Esposito P, Catanoso M, Barbano G, Bonanni A, Vaglio A

Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are rare systemic diseases that usually occur in adulthood. They comprise granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, Churg-Strauss syndrome). Their clinical presentation is often heterogeneous, with frequent involvement of the respiratory tract, the kidney, the skin and the joints. ANCA-associated vasculitis is rare in childhood but North-American and European cohort studies performed during the last decade have clarified their phenotype, patterns of renal involvement and their prognostic implications, and outcome. Herein, we review the main clinical and therapeutic aspects of childhood-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis, and provide preliminary data on demographic characteristics and organ manifestations of an Italian multicentre cohort.

PMID: 28476172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

SHORT syndrome in a two-year-old girl - case report.

Thu, 2018-04-12 12:07
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SHORT syndrome in a two-year-old girl - case report.

Ital J Pediatr. 2017 May 04;43(1):44

Authors: Klatka M, Rysz I, Kozyra K, Polak A, Kołłątaj W

Abstract
BACKGROUND: SHORT syndrome is a rare genetic congenital defects condition. The frequency of the disease still remains unknown.
CASE PRESENTATION: We report the two-year-four-month old female with SHORT syndrome who present growth retardation and dysmorphic features (triangular-shaped face, prominent forehead, ocular depression, lipodystrophy at the lumbar region and around elbows), consistent with the phenotype described for this syndrome. The molecular analysis showed the presence of heterozygous variant c.1956dupT (p.Lys653*) in exon 15 of PIK3R1.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of the disease still remains unknown; solely several dozen cases have been described worldwide.

PMID: 28472977 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Neumann's Tumor: A Case Report.

Wed, 2018-04-11 17:37
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Neumann's Tumor: A Case Report.

Ethiop J Health Sci. 2017 Mar;27(2):189-192

Authors: Vinay KN, Anjulo LA, Nitin P, Neha KV, Dhara D

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The congenital granular cell tumour of the newborn, also known as congenital epulis or Neumann's tumor, is rare. It occurs on the gingiva of the anterior alveolar ridge of the jaws. This lesion behaves in a benign manner and no recurrent or metastatic lesions have been reported.
CASE REPORT: We are reporting a 2-day-old female neonate, who came to our unit with a well defined, solitary, firm mass arising from the maxillary anterior region measuring about 3.5 cms in diameter and causing difficulty in breast feeding but no hindrance to the airway. The mass was surgically excised under general anesthesia. Postoperative wound healing was uneventful.
CONCLUSION: We have shared our experience in handling this rare type of tumor. We have presented the clinical features and the different modalities of its treatment to spread awareness among clinicians for better management of similar tumors.

PMID: 28579714 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"; +10 new citations

Tue, 2018-04-10 11:02

10 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 2018/04/10

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.

Categories: Literature Watch

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"; +10 new citations

Tue, 2018-04-10 06:00

10 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 2018/04/10

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.

Categories: Literature Watch

A CLK3-HMGA2 Alternative Splicing Axis Impacts Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Molecular Identity throughout Development.

Sat, 2018-04-07 06:27

A CLK3-HMGA2 Alternative Splicing Axis Impacts Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Molecular Identity throughout Development.

Cell Stem Cell. 2018 Apr 05;22(4):575-588.e7

Authors: Cesana M, Guo MH, Cacchiarelli D, Wahlster L, Barragan J, Doulatov S, Vo LT, Salvatori B, Trapnell C, Clement K, Cahan P, Tsanov KM, Sousa PM, Tazon-Vega B, Bolondi A, Giorgi FM, Califano A, Rinn JL, Meissner A, Hirschhorn JN, Daley GQ

Abstract
While gene expression dynamics have been extensively cataloged during hematopoietic differentiation in the adult, less is known about transcriptome diversity of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during development. To characterize transcriptional and post-transcriptional changes in HSCs during development, we leveraged high-throughput genomic approaches to profile miRNAs, lincRNAs, and mRNAs. Our findings indicate that HSCs manifest distinct alternative splicing patterns in key hematopoietic regulators. Detailed analysis of the splicing dynamics and function of one such regulator, HMGA2, identified an alternative isoform that escapes miRNA-mediated targeting. We further identified the splicing kinase CLK3 that, by regulating HMGA2 splicing, preserves HMGA2 function in the setting of an increase in let-7 miRNA levels, delineating how CLK3 and HMGA2 form a functional axis that influences HSC properties during development. Collectively, our study highlights molecular mechanisms by which alternative splicing and miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation impact the molecular identity and stage-specific developmental features of human HSCs.

PMID: 29625070 [PubMed - in process]

Categories: Literature Watch

Towards efficiency in rare disease research: what is distinctive and important?

Sat, 2018-04-07 06:27
Related Articles

Towards efficiency in rare disease research: what is distinctive and important?

Sci China Life Sci. 2017 Jul;60(7):686-691

Authors: Jia J, Shi T

Abstract
Characterized by their low prevalence, rare diseases are often chronically debilitating or life threatening. Despite their low prevalence, the aggregate number of individuals suffering from a rare disease is estimated to be nearly 400 million worldwide. Over the past decades, efforts from researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical industries have been focused on both the diagnosis and therapy of rare diseases. However, because of the lack of data and medical records for individual rare diseases and the high cost of orphan drug development, only limited progress has been achieved. In recent years, the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based technologies, as well as the popularity of precision medicine has facilitated a better understanding of rare diseases and their molecular etiology. As a result, molecular subclassification can be identified within each disease more clearly, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy. However, providing appropriate care for patients with rare diseases is still an enormous challenge. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to the challenges of rare disease research and make suggestions on where and how our efforts should be focused.

PMID: 28639105 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Integrated Genomic Medicine: A Paradigm for Rare Diseases and Beyond.

Fri, 2018-04-06 12:07
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Integrated Genomic Medicine: A Paradigm for Rare Diseases and Beyond.

Adv Genet. 2017;97:81-113

Authors: Schork NJ, Nazor K

Abstract
Individualized medicine, or the tailoring of therapeutic interventions to a patient's unique genetic, biochemical, physiological, exposure and behavioral profile, has been enhanced, if not enabled, by modern biomedical technologies such as high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms, induced pluripotent stem cell assays, biomarker discovery protocols, imaging modalities, and wireless monitoring devices. Despite successes in the isolated use of these technologies, however, it is arguable that their combined and integrated use in focused studies of individual patients is the best way to not only tailor interventions for those patients, but also shed light on treatment strategies for patients with similar conditions. This is particularly true for individuals with rare diseases since, by definition, they will require study without recourse to other individuals, or at least without recourse to many other individuals. Such integration and focus will require new biomedical scientific paradigms and infrastructure, including the creation of databases harboring study results, the formation of dedicated multidisciplinary research teams and new training programs. We consider the motivation and potential for such integration, point out areas in need of improvement, and argue for greater emphasis on improving patient health via technological innovations, not merely improving the technologies themselves. We also argue that the paradigm described can, in theory, be extended to the study of individuals with more common diseases.

PMID: 28838357 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

Congenital C1-2 Lateral Translational Dislocation: Case Illustration with Pre- and Postoperative Imaging.

Fri, 2018-04-06 12:07
Related Articles

Congenital C1-2 Lateral Translational Dislocation: Case Illustration with Pre- and Postoperative Imaging.

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2016;51(4):218-20

Authors: Salunke P, Sahoo SK, Deepak AN, Garg R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Congenital atlantoaxial dislocation has been commonly described in the antero-posterior or vertical plane (basilar invagination). However, dislocation in the lateral translational plane due to congenital deformity is rare.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of a young male who presented with os odontoideum with C1-2 dislocation in the lateral plane along with antero-posterior dislocation. He was operated on through a midline posterior incision, and the C1-2 facet was manipulated so as to correct the dislocation in all planes.
CONCLUSION: With os odontoideum, the C1-2 joints can exhibit movements that are out of the ordinary, even in the lateral translational plane. It suggests that the ligaments and joint capsule may weaken with time. Careful radiological evaluation helps in diagnosing this rare condition. An understanding of 3D facetal anatomy is important to achieve complete correction.

PMID: 27054833 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

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