Orphan or Rare Diseases

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +18 new citations

Fri, 2016-09-30 07:03

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/30

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +22 new citations

Wed, 2016-09-28 06:16

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/28

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +21 new citations

Tue, 2016-09-27 06:03

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/27

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

Investigating Alternative Transport of Integral Plasma Membrane Proteins from the ER to the Golgi: Lessons from the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR).

Mon, 2016-09-26 08:47
Related Articles

Investigating Alternative Transport of Integral Plasma Membrane Proteins from the ER to the Golgi: Lessons from the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR).

Methods Mol Biol. 2016;1459:105-126

Authors: Amaral MD, Farinha CM, Matos P, Botelho HM

Abstract
Secretory traffic became a topical field because many important cell regulators are plasma membrane proteins (transporters, channels, receptors), being thus key targets in biomedicine and drug discovery. Cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by defects in a single gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), constitutes the most common of rare diseases and certainly a paradigmatic one.Here we focus on five different approaches that allow biochemical and cellular characterization of CFTR from its co-translational insertion into the ER membrane to its delivery to the plasma membrane.

PMID: 27665554 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with Jeune syndrome: The first reported case.

Mon, 2016-09-26 08:47
Related Articles

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with Jeune syndrome: The first reported case.

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2016 Sep;44(6):503-506

Authors: Güvenç O, Sündüs Uygun S, Çimen D, Aslan E, Annagür A

Abstract
Jeune syndrome (Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia) is a rare dystrophy of the skeleton, inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. Patients develop a narrowed thorax, rhizomelic dwarfism, and hepatic, renal, and pancreatic abnormalities. High rates of pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension have been reported. Some patients die in early stages of life due to respiratory failure. The case of a patient referred with a history of severe asphyxiating birth, who had been diagnosed with Jeune syndrome and later hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) upon echocardiographic examination is described in the present report. This rare disease is discussed with respect to the current literature, as the present is the first reported case to be accompanied by HCM.

PMID: 27665332 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Unravelling the myotonic dystrophy type 1 clinical spectrum: A systematic registry-based study with implications for disease classification.

Mon, 2016-09-26 08:47
Related Articles

Unravelling the myotonic dystrophy type 1 clinical spectrum: A systematic registry-based study with implications for disease classification.

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2016 Sep 21;

Authors: De Antonio M, Dogan C, Hamroun D, Mati M, Zerrouki S, Eymard B, Katsahian S, Bassez G, French Myotonic Dystrophy Clinical Network

Abstract
The broad clinical spectrum of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) creates particular challenges for both medical care and design of clinical trials. Clinical onset spans a continuum from birth to late adulthood, with symptoms that are highly variable in both severity and nature of the affected organ systems. In the literature, this complex phenotype is divided into three grades (mild, classic, and severe) and four or five main clinical categories (congenital, infantile/juvenile, adult-onset and late-onset forms), according to symptom severity and age of onset, respectively. However, these classifications are still under discussion with no consensus thus far. While some specific clinical features have been primarily reported in some forms of the disease, there are no clear distinctions. As a consequence, no modifications in the management of healthcare or the design of clinical studies have been proposed based on the clinical form of DM1. The present study has used the DM-Scope registry to assess, in a large cohort of DM1 patients, the robustness of a classification divided into five clinical forms. Our main aim was to describe the disease spectrum and investigate features of each clinical form. The five subtypes were compared by distribution of CTG expansion size, and the occurrence and onset of the main symptoms of DM1. Analyses validated the relevance of a five-grade model for DM1 classification. Patients were classified as: congenital (n=93, 4.5%); infantile (n=303, 14.8%); juvenile (n=628, 30.7%); adult (n=694, 34.0%); and late-onset (n=326, 15.9%). Our data show that the assumption of a continuum from congenital to the late-onset form is valid, and also highlights disease features specific to individual clinical forms of DM1 in terms of symptom occurrence and chronology throughout the disease course. These results support the use of the five-grade model for disease classification, and the distinct clinical profiles suggest that age of onset and clinical form may be key criteria in the design of clinical trials when considering DM1 health management and research.

PMID: 27665240 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

A genetic cluster of xeroderma pigmentosum variant patients with two different founder mutations.

Sun, 2016-09-25 08:28
Related Articles

A genetic cluster of xeroderma pigmentosum variant patients with two different founder mutations.

Br J Dermatol. 2016 Sep 24;

Authors: Munford V, Castro LP, Souto R, Lerner LK, Vilar JB, Quayle C, Asif H, Schuch AP, de Souza TA, Ienne S, Alves FI, Moura LM, Galante PA, Camargo AA, Liboredo R, Pena SD, Sarasin A, Chaibub SC, Menck CF

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare human syndrome associated with hypersensitivity to sunlight and a high frequency of skin tumors at an early age. We identified a community in the state of Goias (central Brazil), a very sunny and tropical region, with a high incidence of XP (17 patients among approximately 1,000 inhabitants).
OBJECTIVES: To identify the gene mutations in the affected community and map the distribution of the affected alleles, correlating the mutations with clinical phenotypes.
METHODS: Functional analyses of DNA repair capacity and cell cycle responses after ultraviolet exposure were investigated in cells from local XP patients, allowing the identification of the mutated gene, which was then sequenced to locate the mutations. A specific assay was designed for mapping the distribution of these mutations in the community.
RESULTS: Skin primary fibroblasts showed normal DNA damage removal but abnormal DNA synthesis after ultraviolet irradiation and deficient expression of the Polη protein, which is encoded by the POLH gene. We detected two different POLH mutations: one at the splice donor site of intron 6, c.764 +1 G>A, and the other in exon 8, c.907 C>T, p.Arg303X. The mutation at intron 6 is novel, whereas the mutation at exon 8 was previously described in Europe. Thus, these mutations were likely brought to the community long ago, suggesting two founder effects for this rare disease.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This work describes a genetic cluster involving the POLH gene, and, particularly unexpected, with two independent founder mutations, including one that likely originated in Europe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 27664908 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Parathyroid carcinoma in tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Sun, 2016-09-25 08:28
Related Articles

Parathyroid carcinoma in tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Asian J Surg. 2016 Oct;39(4):255-259

Authors: Kim BS, Ryu HS, Kang KH, Park SJ

Abstract
Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disease of unknown etiology. This study presents a case of parathyroid carcinoma in a patient with tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Despite a successful kidney transplantation, the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level of the patient was elevated consistently and could not be controlled by medical therapy. Due to the development of tertiary hyperparathyroidism with bone pain and osteoporosis, subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed 4 months after the kidney transplantation. Histological evaluation revealed that one of four parathyroid lesions was a parathyroid carcinoma, while the others were diffuse hyperplasia. Postoperative laboratory studies indicated a decreased level of iPTH. A positron emission tomography-computed tomography performed 6 months after the operation revealed no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis.

PMID: 27664600 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

The Inherited p53 Mutation in the Brazilian Population.

Sun, 2016-09-25 08:28
Related Articles

The Inherited p53 Mutation in the Brazilian Population.

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2016 Sep 23;

Authors: Achatz MI, Zambetti GP

Abstract
A common criticism of studying rare diseases is the often-limited relevance of the findings to human health. Here, we review ∼15 years of research into an unusual germline TP53 mutation (p.R337H) that began with its detection in children with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a remarkably rare childhood cancer that is associated with poor prognosis. We have come to learn that the p.R337H mutation exists at a very high frequency in Southern and Southeastern Brazil, occurring in one of 375 individuals within a total population of ∼100 million. Moreover, it has been determined that carriers of this founder mutation display variable tumor susceptibility, ranging from isolated cases of pediatric ACC to Li-Fraumeni or Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndromes, thus representing a significant medical issue for this country. Studying the biochemical and molecular consequences of this mutation on p53 tumor-suppressor activity, as well as the putative additional genetic alterations that cooperate with this mutation, is advancing our understanding of how p53 functions in tumor suppression in general. These studies, which originated with a rare childhood tumor, are providing important information for guiding genetic counselors and physicians in treating their patients and are already providing clinical benefit.

PMID: 27663983 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy: When does it stop to be asymptomatic and need a treatment?

Sun, 2016-09-25 08:28
Related Articles

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy: When does it stop to be asymptomatic and need a treatment?

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2016 Sep 20;

Authors: Adams D, Beaudonnet G, Adam C, Lacroix C, Théaudin M, Cauquil C, Labeyrie C

Abstract
Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare disease with autosomal transmission due to point mutation of the transthyretin (TTR) gene. It is the most disabling hereditary neuropathy affecting sensory, motor and autonomic nerves, and is irreversible and fatal within 7 to 12 years of onset in the absence of therapy. Diagnosis is usually delayed for 1-5 years because the onset is usually insidious, and a positive family history is lacking in 50% of late-onset cases. Penetrance is variable, and depends of the age of the carrier and age of onset in family members. Two treatments are available: liver transplantation, to suppress the main source of systemic production of mutant TTR; and TTR tetramer stabilizer drugs, to avoid the release of highly amyloidogenic monomers and oligomers. These therapies are able to stop or slow the progression of the disease in its early stages. Genetic counseling is crucial to detect carriers at risk of developing the disease. The European network for TTR-FAP recommends careful baseline assessment by questionnaire, clinical examination and neurophysiological tests, and periodic consultations to detect the onset of disease in time to start anti-amyloid therapy after biopsy findings of amyloid deposition. A therapeutic educational program is important for improving patients' awareness. Patients are considered symptomatic and ill when they themselves perceive symptoms or changes, including changes from baseline measurements on neurophysiological tests, followed by findings of amyloid deposition on biopsy. The most sensitive biopsies are from the labial salivary gland and skin.

PMID: 27663057 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +9 new citations

Sat, 2016-09-24 08:12

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/24

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +25 new citations

Fri, 2016-09-23 07:53

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/23

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +13 new citations

Thu, 2016-09-22 07:36

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/22

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +9 new citations

Wed, 2016-09-21 07:21

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/21

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +14 new citations

Tue, 2016-09-20 07:04

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/20

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

Exploring Splicing-Switching Molecules For Seckel Syndrome Therapy.

Mon, 2016-09-19 06:47

Exploring Splicing-Switching Molecules For Seckel Syndrome Therapy.

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016 Sep 14;

Authors: Scalet D, Balestra D, Rohban S, Bovolenta M, Perrone D, Bernardi F, Campaner S, Pinotti M

Abstract
The c.2101A>G synonymous change (p.G674G) in the gene for ATR, a key player in the DNA-damage response, has been the first identified genetic cause of Seckel Syndrome (SS), an orphan disease characterized by growth and mental retardation. This mutation mainly causes exon 9 skipping, through an ill-defined mechanism. Through ATR minigene expression studies, we demonstrated that the detrimental effect of this mutation (6±1% of correct transcripts only) depends on the poor exon 9 definition (47±4% in the ATR(wt) context), because the change was ineffective when the weak 5' or the 3' splice sites (ss) were strengthened (scores from 0.54 to 1) by mutagenesis. Interestingly, the exonic c.2101A nucleotide is conserved across species, and the SS-causing mutation is predicted to concurrently strengthen a Splicing Silencer (ESS) and weaken a Splicing Enhancer (ESE). Consistently, the artificial c.2101A>C change, predicted to weaken the ESE only, moderately impaired exon inclusion (28±7% of correct transcripts). The observation that an antisense oligonucleotide (AON(ATR)) targeting the c.2101A position recovers exon inclusion in the mutated context supports a major role of the underlying ESS. A U1snRNA variant (U1(ATR)) designed to perfectly base-pair the weak 5'ss, rescued exon inclusion (63±3%) in the ATR(SS)-allele. Most importantly, upon lentivirus-mediated delivery, the U1(ATR) partially rescued ATR mRNA splicing (from ~19% to ~54%) and protein (from negligible to ~6%) in embryonic fibroblasts derived from humanized ATR(SS) mice. Altogether these data elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the ATR c.2101A>G mutation and identify two potential complementary RNA-based therapies for Seckel syndrome.

PMID: 27639833 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +6 new citations

Sun, 2016-09-18 06:32

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/18

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +9 new citations

Sat, 2016-09-17 06:13

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/17

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +18 new citations

Fri, 2016-09-16 08:52

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/16

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases"); +10 new citations

Thu, 2016-09-15 08:33

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

("orphan disease" OR "rare disease" OR "orphan diseases" OR "rare diseases")

These pubmed results were generated on 2016/09/15

PubMed comprises more than 24 million 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

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