Acquired T-Cell Immunodeficiency in Thymoma Patients.

Crit Rev Immunol. 2016;36(4):315-327

Authors: Christopoulos P, Fisch P

Abstract
Acquired T-cell immunodeficiency can occur in thymoma patients with or without hypogammaglobulinemia (Good's syndrome), but it has received little attention to date. It appears predominantly associated with lymphocyte-rich (i.e., cortical or mixed) thymomas and frequently coexists with autoimmune manifestations. The main abnormalities are an increase in circulating naive T cells, cutaneous T-cell anergy, TCR hyporesponsiveness in vitro as well as a numerical and functional impairment of regulatory T cells. All of these probably result from an abnormal T-cell maturation in the neoplastic thymic microenvironment. A better understanding of thymoma-related acquired T-cell immunodeficiency will be important for immunotherapy of this orphan disease as well as for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections, autoimmune complications and secondary malignancies that contribute to the morbidity and mortality of thymoma patients.

PMID: 28322136 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Vision for improvement: Expressive writing as an intervention for people with Stargardt's disease, a rare eye disease.

J Health Psychol. 2016 May;21(5):709-19

Authors: Bryan JL, Lu Q

Abstract
This study implemented and evaluated the effectiveness of an expressive writing intervention among patients with Stargardt's disease, a rare disease due to macular degeneration. Participants were randomly assigned to either an expressive writing intervention or a neutral writing condition. Participants completed measures at three time points: baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks post-intervention. Psychological health outcomes improved at the 3-week follow-up for the intervention condition compared to control. Self-reported physical health improved at the 6-week follow-up in the intervention condition compared to control. These results suggest that expressive writing may be an effective, practical, and low-cost intervention for those with Stargardt's disease.

PMID: 24934432 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6 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 2017/12/19

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.

6 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 2017/12/19

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.

Recurrent rhabdomyolysis and glutaric aciduria type I: a case report and literature review.

World J Pediatr. 2016 Aug;12(3):368-371

Authors: Qian GL, Hong F, Tong F, Fu HD, Liu AM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by mutation of the glutaryl- CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) gene. The occurrence of rhabdomyolysis with GA-I is extremely rare.
METHODS: We reported a child with recurrent rhabdomyolysis and undiagnosed glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I). And a literature review was performed.
RESULTS: A 4.5-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to recurrent rhabdomyolysis for 3 times within three years. At the third admission, she was diagnosed with GA-I by biochemical testing and mutation analysis. The girl was found to have a serine to leucine replacement mutation of the GCDH gene in exon 8 at position 764. Other three patients with rhabdomyolysis and GA-I were discovered by literature searching.
CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights that patients with GA-I may have an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis.

PMID: 27351573 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Recent advances in molecular biology and treatment strategies for intracranial germ cell tumors.

World J Pediatr. 2016 Aug;12(3):275-282

Authors: Huang X, Zhang R, Mao Y, Zhou LF, Zhang C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are a group of rare pediatric brain tumors which include various subtypes. The current understanding of the etiology of the tumors and their optimal management strategies remain controversial.
DATA SOURCES: The data on IGCTs were collected from articles published in the past 20 years, and the origin and etiology of IGCTs at molecular level as well as the relative roles of varied treatment strategies in different prognosis groups according to Matsutani's classification were reviewed.
RESULTS: Recent cellular and molecular evidence suggests that IGCTs may arise from the transformation of endogenous brain cells; and findings in the molecular characterization of IGCTs suggest roles of CCND2, RB1, and PRDM14 in the pathogenesis of IGCTs and identify the KIT/RAS and AKT1/mTOR pathways as potential therapeutic targets in future. According to Matsutani's classification of IGCTs, the good prognosis group includes both germinomas and mature teratomas. For germinomas, both radiation alone and reduced-dose radiotherapy in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy are effective, while complete surgical excision is recommended for mature teratomas. In the intermediate prognosis group, immature teratoma has been successfully treated with gamma knife surgery. However, for intermediate prognosis IGCTs other than immature teratomas, gross total resection with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy or gamma knife surgery may be necessary to achieve cure. In the poor prognosis group, survival outcomes are unsatisfactory, and complete surgical resection combined with more intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy remains the best available treatment option at this time.
CONCLUSIONS: IGCTs should be strictly classified according to their pathological categories before administering pathology-specific treatments. Although open microsurgical excision is the traditional surgical strategy for IGCTs, recent publications also support the role of endoscopic surgical options for pineal region IGCTs.

PMID: 27351562 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Autoimmune pancreatitis].

Ugeskr Laeger. 2015 Dec 14;177(51):V04150349

Authors: Fjordside E, Novovic S, Schmidt PN, Vind I, Hansen EF

Abstract
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare inflammatory disease. AIP has characteristic histology, serology and imaging findings. Two types of AIP exist, type 1, which is a part of the systemic immunoglobulin G4-related disease, and type 2, which is only localized to the pancreas. Patients with type 1 are predominantly older men, have involvement of other organs and more often experience relapse than patients with type 2. Both types respond well to steroid treatment. The most important differential diagnose is pancreatic cancer.

PMID: 26692034 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Severe atopic dermatitis caused by rare immunodeficiency in childhood].

Ugeskr Laeger. 2015 Dec 14;177(51):V06150498

Authors: Wolsk HM, Marquart HV, Laub B, Gniadecki R, Nysom K, Ifversen M

Abstract
Two children are presented with autosomal recessive hyper IgE syndrome caused by a mutation in the dedicator of cytokinesis 8 gene (DOCK8). The manifestations are typically severe atopic dermatitis, food allergies, elevated serum IgE concentration, viral skin infections and risk of malignancies. DOCK8 deficiency was first reported in 2009, following the death of the oldest sibling. The youngest sibling was cured after allogenic stem cell transplantation. This case report illustrates the need of awareness of primary immunodeficiency in children with atypical manifestation of atopic dermatitis in combination with recurrent infections.

PMID: 26692033 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Neuroendocrine tumors and fibrosis: An unsolved mystery?

Cancer. 2017 Dec 15;123(24):4770-4790

Authors: Laskaratos FM, Rombouts K, Caplin M, Toumpanakis C, Thirlwell C, Mandair D

Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of slow-growing neoplasms arising mainly from the enterochromaffin cells of the digestive and respiratory tract. Although they are relatively rare, their incidence is rising. It has long been observed that they often are associated with the development of fibrosis, both local and distant. Fibrotic complications, such as carcinoid heart disease and mesenteric desmoplasia, may lead to considerable morbidity or even affect prognosis. The elucidation of the pathophysiology of fibrosis would be of critical importance for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. In this article, the authors review the available evidence regarding the biological basis of fibrosis in neuroendocrine tumors. They explore the role of the tumor microenvironment and the interplay between tumor cells and fibroblasts as a key factor in fibrogenesis and tumor development/progression. They also review the role of serotonin, growth factors, and other peptides in the development of carcinoid-related fibrotic reactions. Cancer 2017;123:4770-90. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

PMID: 29112233 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Plummer-Vinson Syndrome with Proximal Esophageal Web.

J Gastrointest Surg. 2016 May;20(5):1074-5

Authors: Changela K, Haeri NS, Krishnaiah M, Reddy M

Abstract
Plummer-Vinson Syndrome is a condition where iron deficiency is associated with difficulty swallowing due to the presence of an esophageal web. Deficiency of iron-dependent oxidative enzymes causes gradual degradation of the pharyngeal muscles which lead to mucosal atrophy and formation of webs. Although it is a very rare condition, an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma makes its identification very important. Dilation of the esophageal web using a Savary dilator is a more effective and safer approach compared to conventional balloon dilation.

PMID: 26658794 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Eml1 loss impairs apical progenitor spindle length and soma shape in the developing cerebral cortex.

Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 11;7(1):17308

Authors: Bizzotto S, Uzquiano A, Dingli F, Ershov D, Houllier A, Arras G, Richards M, Loew D, Minc N, Croquelois A, Houdusse A, Francis F

Abstract
The ventricular zone (VZ) of the developing cerebral cortex is a pseudostratified epithelium that contains progenitors undergoing precisely regulated divisions at its most apical side, the ventricular lining (VL). Mitotic perturbations can contribute to pathological mechanisms leading to cortical malformations. The HeCo mutant mouse exhibits subcortical band heterotopia (SBH), likely to be initiated by progenitor delamination from the VZ early during corticogenesis. The causes for this are however, currently unknown. Eml1, a microtubule (MT)-associated protein of the EMAP family, is impaired in these mice. We first show that MT dynamics are perturbed in mutant progenitor cells in vitro. These may influence interphase and mitotic MT mechanisms and indeed, centrosome and primary cilia were altered and spindles were found to be abnormally long in HeCo progenitors. Consistently, MT and spindle length regulators were identified in EML1 pulldowns from embryonic brain extracts. Finally, we found that mitotic cell shape is also abnormal in the mutant VZ. These previously unidentified VZ characteristics suggest altered cell constraints which may contribute to cell delamination.

PMID: 29229923 [PubMed - in process]

Efficacy of Human Botulism Immune Globulin for the Treatment of Infant Botulism: The First 12 Years Post Licensure.

J Pediatr. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Payne JR, Khouri JM, Jewell NP, Arnon SS

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report the efficacy of Human Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous (BIG-IV) in the first 12 years following its licensure in 2003 and to characterize its use nationwide in treating patients with infant botulism.
STUDY DESIGN: Medical records and billing information were collected for US patients treated with BIG-IV from 2003 to 2015. Length of hospital stay (LOS) and hospital charge information for treated patients were compared with the BIG-IV Pivotal Clinical Trial Placebo Group to quantify decreases in LOS and hospital charges.
RESULTS: The use of BIG-IV reduced mean LOS from 5.7 to 2.2 weeks. This shortened hospital stay resulted in a mean decrease in hospital charges of $88 900 per patient. For all US patients 2003-2015, total decreases in LOS and hospital charges were 66.9 years and $86.2 million, respectively. The decrease in mean LOS was time dependent: BIG-IV treatment on hospital days 0-3 reduced mean LOS by 3.7 weeks (P <.001 vs the BIG-IV Pivotal Clinical Trial Placebo Group), on hospital days 4-7 by 2.6 weeks (P <.001 vs the BIG-IV Pivotal Clinical Trial Placebo Group) and on hospital days 8-10 by just 1 week (P = NS). Since licensure, 1192 patients in 48 states and Washington, DC, have been treated with BIG-IV.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of BIG-IV since its licensure in 2003 treated approximately 93% of US patients with laboratory-confirmed infant botulism, and prevented >65 years in hospital stay and >$85 million in hospital charges from occurring. The greatest LOS reduction was achieved when BIG-IV was administered soon after hospital admission. Effective and appropriate use of BIG-IV in the US has continued in the postlicensure period.

PMID: 29229452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Medical research: Next decade's goals for rare diseases.

Nature. 2017 08 09;548(7666):158

Authors: Austin CP, Dawkins HJS

PMID: 28796211 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Atypical Cutaneous Presentation Of Adult Onset Still Disease.

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2016 Apr-Jun;28(2):417-419

Authors: Shah H, Achakzai H, Zuhaid M

Abstract
Adult onset still disease is a rare systemic inflammatory disease which presents with cardinal symptoms of spiking fever, arthralgia, and characteristic non pruritic evanescent salmon pink rash and neutrophilic leukocytosis. However it can have accompanied atypical cutaneous manifestations of pruritic plaques and papules. Clinicians need to be aware of this condition so that they can correctly diagnose it and prevent its serious complications.

PMID: 28718578 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11 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 2017/12/12

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.

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 2017/12/09

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.

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 2017/12/09

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.

Frequent genes in rare diseases: panel-based next generation sequencing to disclose causal mutations in hereditary neuropathies.

J Neurochem. 2017 Dec;143(5):507-522

Authors: Dohrn MF, Glöckle N, Mulahasanovic L, Heller C, Mohr J, Bauer C, Riesch E, Becker A, Battke F, Hörtnagel K, Hornemann T, Suriyanarayanan S, Blankenburg M, Schulz JB, Claeys KG, Gess B, Katona I, Ferbert A, Vittore D, Grimm A, Wolking S, Schöls L, Lerche H, Korenke GC, Fischer D, Schrank B, Kotzaeridou U, Kurlemann G, Dräger B, Schirmacher A, Young P, Schlotter-Weigel B, Biskup S

Abstract
Hereditary neuropathies comprise a wide variety of chronic diseases associated to more than 80 genes identified to date. We herein examined 612 index patients with either a Charcot-Marie-Tooth phenotype, hereditary sensory neuropathy, familial amyloid neuropathy, or small fiber neuropathy using a customized multigene panel based on the next generation sequencing technique. In 121 cases (19.8%), we identified at least one putative pathogenic mutation. Of these, 54.4% showed an autosomal dominant, 33.9% an autosomal recessive, and 11.6% an X-linked inheritance. The most frequently affected genes were PMP22 (16.4%), GJB1 (10.7%), MPZ, and SH3TC2 (both 9.9%), and MFN2 (8.3%). We further detected likely or known pathogenic variants in HINT1, HSPB1, NEFL, PRX, IGHMBP2, NDRG1, TTR, EGR2, FIG4, GDAP1, LMNA, LRSAM1, POLG, TRPV4, AARS, BIC2, DHTKD1, FGD4, HK1, INF2, KIF5A, PDK3, REEP1, SBF1, SBF2, SCN9A, and SPTLC2 with a declining frequency. Thirty-four novel variants were considered likely pathogenic not having previously been described in association with any disorder in the literature. In one patient, two homozygous mutations in HK1 were detected in the multigene panel, but not by whole exome sequencing. A novel missense mutation in KIF5A was considered pathogenic because of the highly compatible phenotype. In one patient, the plasma sphingolipid profile could functionally prove the pathogenicity of a mutation in SPTLC2. One pathogenic mutation in MPZ was identified after being previously missed by Sanger sequencing. We conclude that panel based next generation sequencing is a useful, time- and cost-effective approach to assist clinicians in identifying the correct diagnosis and enable causative treatment considerations.

PMID: 28902413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Model Organisms Facilitate Rare Disease Diagnosis and Therapeutic Research.

Genetics. 2017 Sep;207(1):9-27

Authors: Wangler MF, Yamamoto S, Chao HT, Posey JE, Westerfield M, Postlethwait J, Members of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), Hieter P, Boycott KM, Campeau PM, Bellen HJ

Abstract
Efforts to identify the genetic underpinnings of rare undiagnosed diseases increasingly involve the use of next-generation sequencing and comparative genomic hybridization methods. These efforts are limited by a lack of knowledge regarding gene function, and an inability to predict the impact of genetic variation on the encoded protein function. Diagnostic challenges posed by undiagnosed diseases have solutions in model organism research, which provides a wealth of detailed biological information. Model organism geneticists are by necessity experts in particular genes, gene families, specific organs, and biological functions. Here, we review the current state of research into undiagnosed diseases, highlighting large efforts in North America and internationally, including the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) (Supplemental Material, File S1) and UDN International (UDNI), the Centers for Mendelian Genomics (CMG), and the Canadian Rare Diseases Models and Mechanisms Network (RDMM). We discuss how merging human genetics with model organism research guides experimental studies to solve these medical mysteries, gain new insights into disease pathogenesis, and uncover new therapeutic strategies.

PMID: 28874452 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Japan's initiative on rare and undiagnosed diseases (IRUD): towards an end to the diagnostic odyssey.

Eur J Hum Genet. 2017 Sep;25(9):1025-1028

Authors: Adachi T, Kawamura K, Furusawa Y, Nishizaki Y, Imanishi N, Umehara S, Izumi K, Suematsu M

Abstract
Japan has been facing challenges relating to specifically defined rare diseases, called Nan-Byo in Japanese (literally 'difficult'+'illness'), and has already taken measures for them since 1972. This governmental support has surely benefited Nan-Byo patients; however, those suffering from medically unidentified conditions do not fall into this scheme and thus still confront difficulty in obtaining an examination, a diagnosis, and a treatment. To identify such rare and often undiagnosed diseases, we must integrate systematic diagnosis by medical experts with phenotypic and genetic data matching. Thus, in collaboration with Nan-Byo researchers and the Japanese universal healthcare system, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development launched the Initiative on Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (IRUD) in 2015. IRUD is an ambitious challenge to construct a comprehensive medical network and an internationally compatible data-sharing framework. Synergizing with existing next-generation sequencing capabilities and other infrastructure, the nationwide medical research consortium has successfully grown to accept more than 2000 undiagnosed registrants by December 2016. We also aim at expanding the concept of microattribution throughout the initiative; that is, proper credit as collaborators shall be given to local primary care physicians, nurses and paramedics, patients, their family members, and those supporting the affected individuals whenever appropriate. As it shares many challenges among similar global efforts, IRUD's future successes and lessons learned will significantly contribute to ongoing international endeavors, involving players in basic research, applied research, and societal implementation.

PMID: 28794428 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]