Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

Σάββατο 7 Μαΐου 2016

Objective studies of the face of Noonan, Cardio-facio-cutaneous, and Costello syndromes: A comparison of three disorders of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway

Noonan, Cardio-facio-cutaneous, and Costello syndromes are disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway that share many clinical features. This observational and anthropometric study was conducted to describe the key facial features of each syndrome in order to improve discrimination between the three conditions, particularly in young children where diagnosis is most challenging. Direct measurement of the head and face was used to enhance diagnostic accuracy, and identify the most unusual or specific dimensions. The Noonan syndrome cohort included 123 individuals, aged 6 months to 41 years. There were 20 children and adolescents with Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, and 28 individuals with Costello syndrome, aged 1–32 years. The facial phenotypes of these syndromes, particularly Noonan syndrome, are well-described but objective data have not been published in peer-reviewed literature. In this study, subjective observations, in the main, were validated by anthropometry with one exception. In individuals with Costello syndrome, mouth width was normal, thus the impression of wide mouth is likely due to full lips or the mouth being viewed in relation to a narrow lower face. When the three conditions were compared objectively, syndrome-specific pattern profiles showed high concordance in early life. At older ages, Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome was distinguished by increased width of the mid/lower face, and reduced growth of maxillary and mandibular dimensions was noted in both Noonan and Costello syndromes. Despite substantial similarities in face shape in older individuals with these two conditions, bulbous nasal tip, full lips, and an apparently wide mouth in those with Costello Syndrome facilitate discrimination from Noonan syndrome. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.



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Emerging targeted drug therapies in skeletal dysplasias

Quantum advances have occurred in the field of human genetics in the six decades since Watson and Crick expressed their "wish to suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid." These culminated with the human genome project, which has opened up myriad possibilities, including that of individualized genetic medicine, the ability to deliver medical advice, management, and therapy tailored to an individual's genetic blueprint. Advances in genetic diagnostic capabilities have been rapid, to the point where the genome can be sequenced for several thousand dollars. Crucially, it has facilitated the identification of targets for "precision" treatments to combat genetic diseases at their source. This manuscript will review the innovative, pathogenesis-based therapies that are revolutionizing management of skeletal dysplasias, giving patients and families new options and outcomes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.



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The Fourth International Symposium on Genetic Disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway

The RASopathies are a group of disorders due to variations of genes associated with the Ras/MAPK pathway. Some of the RASopathies include neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), Noonan syndrome, Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome, Costello syndrome, Legius syndrome, and capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation (CM-AVM) syndrome. In combination, the RASopathies are a frequent group of genetic disorders. This report summarizes the proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Genetic Disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway and highlights gaps in the field. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.



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Trisomy 13 and gallbladder agenesis



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Evaluation of the palatal split pattern in surgically rapid maxillary expansion—comparison of two techniques

Abstract

Purpose

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion is performed to correct transverse deficiencies of the maxilla, and it is indicated in specific clinical situations. The literature presents different opinions in several aspects, mainly regarding the effect of disjunction of the pterygoid plates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of maxillary expansion obtained with two surgical techniques, with and without disjunction of the pterygoid plates.

Methods

Twenty patients treated with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion for correction of transversal discrepancies were included in this retrospective study and divided into two groups: (G1) patients operated without disjunction of pterygoid plates and (G2) patients treated with release of the pterygoid plates.

Results

There were seven male and 13 female patients, and the mean age was 29.9 years. Cone beam computed tomography images obtained after final activation of the expansion device were evaluated and complete disjunction of the midpalatal suture (type I) was present in 75 % of the patients whereas incomplete disjunction of the midpalatal suture (type II) was observed in 25 %. Chi-square test showed no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.606).

Conclusion

No difference was found in relation to the maxillary disjunction pattern irrespective of the treatment given to pterygoid plates.



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Parotid Masson's tumor: case report.

Parotid Masson's tumor: case report.

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Mar 29;

Authors: Carta F, Sionis S, Ledda V, Gerosa C, Puxeddu R

PMID: 27150026 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Magnetization Transfer MR Imaging to Monitor Muscle Tissue Formation during Myogenic in Vivo Differentiation of Muscle Precursor Cells.

Magnetization Transfer MR Imaging to Monitor Muscle Tissue Formation during Myogenic in Vivo Differentiation of Muscle Precursor Cells.

Radiology. 2016 May 6;:152330

Authors: Rottmar M, Haralampieva D, Salemi S, Eberhardt C, Wurnig MC, Boss A, Eberli D

Abstract
Purpose To determine whether magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may serve as a quantitative measure of the degree of fiber formation during differentiation of muscle precursor cells into engineered muscle tissue as a potential noninvasive monitoring tool in mice. Materials and Methods The study was approved by the local ethics committee (no. StV 01/2008) and the local Veterinary Office (license no. 99/2013). Human muscle progenitor cells (hMPCs) derived from rectus abdominis muscles were subcutaneously injected into CD-1 nude mice (CD-1 nude mice, Crl:CD1-Foxn1(nu); Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass) for development of muscle tissue. The mice underwent MR imaging examinations at 4.7 T at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after cell transplantation by using a gradient-echo sequence with an MT prepulse and systematic variation of the off-resonance frequency (50-37 500 Hz) at an amplitude of 800°. Direct saturation was estimated from a Bloch equation simulation. The MT ratio (MTR) was correlated to immunohistochemistry findings, Western blot results, and results of myography. Data were analyzed by using one-way or two-way analysis of variance with the Sidak or Tukey multiple comparisons test. Results In the reference skeletal muscle, highest MT was found for 2500 Hz off-resonance frequency with an MTR ± standard deviation of 57.5% ± 3.5. The developing muscle tissue exhibited increasing MT values during the 28 days of myogenic in vivo differentiation and did not reach the values of native skeletal muscle. Mean values of MTR (2500 Hz) for hMPCs were 27.6% ± 6.3 (day 1), 24.7% ± 8.7 (day 3), 28.2% ± 5.7 (day 7), 35.9% ± 5.0 (day 14), 37.0% ± 7.9 (day 21), and 39.9% ± 8.1 (day 28). The results from MT MR imaging correlated qualitatively well with muscle tissue expression of specific skeletal markers, as well as muscle contractility. Conclusion MT MR imaging may be used to noninvasively monitor the process of myogenic in vivo differentiation of hMPCs as a biomarker of the quantity and quality of muscle fiber formation. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

PMID: 27152553 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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