1
|
Prugue C, Tjiattas-Saleski L, Enkemann S. Isochromosome Mosaic Turner Syndrome With Epilepsy and Developmental Abnormalities: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e50961. [PMID: 38249224 PMCID: PMC10800156 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder resulting from the partial or complete absence of one X chromosome in females. This condition gives rise to a spectrum of physical and developmental characteristics. Isochromosome mosaic Turner syndrome (IMTS) is a distinct form of this disorder, characterized by genetically different cell lineages, where one or more of the lineages contain an isochromosome X consisting of either p or q arms. While IMTS is relatively common, the relationship between IMTS and epilepsy along with developmental abnormalities remains an area of further investigation. An eight-year-old female presented with a seizure lasting more than 10 minutes, subsequent bilateral hand weakness, and an abnormal gait. Neurologic evaluation revealed a 24-hour amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrating generalized sharp and slow waves increased with hyperventilation and left-sided delta activity. Both the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and repeated EEG, conducted while the patient was sedated, showed normal results. The patient was diagnosed with generalized epilepsy with underlying left hemispheric dysfunction. Early medical history revealed acid reflux, heightened sensitivity or aversion to certain textures, swallowing difficulties, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, extremity clumsiness, and a focal seizure one year prior. In the following months, the patient continued having generalized tonic-clonic seizures and developed bilateral muscle weakness in her arms and legs. This prompted genetic testing, which revealed a karyotype of 45,X,t(17;20)(q23;p13)/46,X,I(X)(q10),t(17;20)(q23;p13) consistent with IMTS and an additional chromosomal translocation. This rare case highlights the potential association between IMTS and the development of epilepsy, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in evaluating TS patients. There is a need for further research that explores the genetic link between TS variants and epilepsy, as well as other intellectual disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Prugue
- Medical School, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas, Spartanburg, USA
| | | | - Steven Enkemann
- Genetics, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas, Spartanburg, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nagy A, Boros K, Dyson S. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomographic and Radiographic Findings in the Metacarpophalangeal Joints of 40 Non-Lame Thoroughbred Yearlings. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3466. [PMID: 38003084 PMCID: PMC10668665 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Most catastrophic injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses involve the fetlock. There is no description of comparative imaging in Thoroughbreds entering racehorse training. The aim was to describe MRI, CT and radiographic findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint of non-lame Thoroughbred yearlings. Forty Thoroughbreds underwent low-field MRI, fan-beam CT and radiographic examinations of both metacarpophalangeal joints. Images were assessed subjectively. A hypoattenuating lesion of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) was identified in 33/80 limbs in CT reconstructions. Cone-shaped mineralisation in the sagittal ridge was detected in MR images (n = 17) and in CT images (n = 5). Mild hyperattenuation was common in trabecular bone in the dorsomedial (36/80) and palmarolateral (25/80) metacarpal condyles in CT reconstructions. A focal lesion in the subchondral bone was seen in the proximal phalanx (n = 19) and in McIII (n = 11). Enlarged vascular channels were detected in the metacarpal condyles in 57/80 limbs and in the proximal sesamoid bones in all limbs. Signs of bone modelling are seen in yearling Thoroughbred fetlocks. Sagittal ridge lesions were common and are likely associated with osteochondrosis or other developmental osteochondral defects. Focal lesions in the subchondral bone of McIII and proximal phalanx can indicate developmental abnormalities or subtle subchondral bone injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Nagy
- Equine Department and Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Doramajor, 2225 Ullo, Hungary;
| | - Koppány Boros
- Equine Department and Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Doramajor, 2225 Ullo, Hungary;
| | - Sue Dyson
- The Cottage, Church Road, Market Weston, Diss IP22 2NX, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aguadé-Gorgorió G, Costa J, Solé R. An oncospace for human cancers. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200215. [PMID: 36864571 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Human cancers comprise an heterogeneous array of diseases with different progression patterns and responses to therapy. However, they all develop within a host context that constrains their natural history. Since it occurs across the diversity of organisms, one can conjecture that there is order in the cancer multiverse. Is there a way to capture the broad range of tumor types within a space of the possible? Here we define the oncospace, a coordinate system that integrates the ecological, evolutionary and developmental components of cancer complexity. The spatial position of a tumor results from its departure from the healthy tissue along these three axes, and progression trajectories inform about the components driving malignancy across cancer subtypes. We postulate that the oncospace topology encodes new information regarding tumorigenic pathways, subtype prognosis, and therapeutic opportunities: treatment design could benefit from considering how to nudge tumors toward empty evolutionary dead ends in the oncospace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guim Aguadé-Gorgorió
- ISEM, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Costa
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ricard Solé
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain.,Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
DiGiovanna JJ, Randall G, Edelman A, Allawh R, Xiong M, Tamura D, Khan SG, Rizza ERH, Reynolds JC, Paul SM, Hill SC, Kraemer KH. Debilitating hip degeneration in trichothiodystrophy: Association with ERCC2/XPD mutations, osteosclerosis, osteopenia, coxa valga, contractures, and osteonecrosis. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:3448-3462. [PMID: 36103153 PMCID: PMC9669218 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder of DNA repair and transcription with developmental delay and abnormalities in brain, eye, skin, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. We followed a cohort of 37 patients with TTD at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2001 to 2019 with a median age at last observation of 12 years (range 2-36). Some children with TTD developed rapidly debilitating hip degeneration (DHD): a distinctive pattern of hip pain, inability to walk, and avascular necrosis on imaging. Ten (27%) of the 37 patients had DHD at median age 8 years (range 5-12), followed by onset of imaging findings at median age 9 years (range 5-13). All 10 had mutations in the ERCC2/XPD gene. In 7 of the 10 affected patients, DHD rapidly became bilateral. DHD was associated with coxa valga, central osteosclerosis with peripheral osteopenia of the skeleton, and contractures/tightness of the lower limbs. Except for one patient, surgical interventions were generally not effective at preventing DHD. Four patients with DHD died at a median age of 11 years (range 9-15). TTD patients with ERCC2/XPD gene mutations have a high risk of musculoskeletal abnormalities and DHD leading to poor outcomes. Monitoring by history, physical examination, imaging, and by physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists may be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John J. DiGiovanna
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Grant Randall
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexandra Edelman
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rina Allawh
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Xiong
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah Tamura
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sikandar G. Khan
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. H. Rizza
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James C. Reynolds
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott M. Paul
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Suvimol C. Hill
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Kraemer
- DNA Repair Section, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sztanke M, Rzymowska J, Sztanke K. Anti-Tumor Active Isopropylated Fused Azaisocytosine-Containing Congeners Are Safe for Developing Danio rerio as Well as Red Blood Cells and Activate Apoptotic Caspases in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:1211. [PMID: 35209001 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
New isopropylated fused azaisocytosine-containing congeners (I-VI) have previously been reported as promising anticancer drug candidates, so further research on these molecules in the preclinical development phase is fully justified and necessary. For this reason, in the present paper, we assess the toxicity/safety profiles of all the compounds using Danio rerio and red blood cell models, and examine the effect of the most selective congeners on the activation of apoptotic caspases in cancer and normal cells. In order to evaluate the effect of each molecule on the development of zebrafish embryos/larvae and to select the safest compounds for further study, various phenotypic parameters (i.e., mortality, hatchability, heart rate, heart oedema, yolk sac utilization, swim bladder development and body shape) were observed, and the half maximal lethal concentration, the maximal non-lethal concentration and no observed adverse effect concentration for each compound were established. The effect of all the isopropylated molecules was compared to that of an anticancer agent pemetrexed. The lipophilicity-dependent structure-toxicity correlations were also determined. To establish the possible interaction of the compounds with red blood cells, an ex vivo hemolysis test was performed. It was shown that almost all of the investigated isopropylated congeners have no adverse phenotypic effect on zebrafish development during five-day exposure at concentrations up to 50 μM (I-III) or up to 20 μM (IV-V), and that they are less toxic for embryos/larvae than pemetrexed, demonstrating their safety. At the same time, all the molecules did not adversely affect the red blood cells, which confirms their very good hemocompatibility. Moreover, they proved to be activators of apoptotic caspases, as they increased caspase-3, -7 and -9 levels in human breast carcinoma cells. The conducted research allows us to select-from among the anticancer active drug candidates-compounds that are safe for developing zebrafish and red blood cells, suitable for further in vivo pharmacological tests.
Collapse
|
7
|
Krzykwa JC, King SM, Sellin Jeffries MK. Investigating the Predictive Power of Three Potential Sublethal Endpoints for the Fathead Minnow Fish Embryo Toxicity Test: Snout-Vent Length, Eye Size, and Pericardial Edema. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:6907-6916. [PMID: 33914518 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test is known to be less sensitive than the fish acute test for some chemicals, including neurotoxicants. Thus, there is an interest in identifying additional endpoints that can improve FET test performance. The goal of this project was to advance alternative toxicity testing methods by determining whether select developmental abnormalities-snout-vent length, eye size, and pericardial area-are linked to adverse alterations in ecologically-relevant behaviors and delayed mortality. Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) FET tests were conducted with 3,4-dicholoroaniline, cadmium, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and developmental abnormalities were quantified. Surviving eleutheroembryos were reared in clean water to 14 days post fertilization (dpf), during which time behaviors and mortality were evaluated. None of the abnormalities evaluated were predictive of behavioral alterations; however, embryos with ≥14% reductions in length or ≥3.54-fold increases in pericardial area had an 80% chance of mortality by 14 dpf. When these abnormalities were used as markers of mortality, the LC50s for cadmium and PFOS were less than those calculated using only standardized FET test endpoints and similar to those obtained via larval fish tests, indicating that the snout-vent length and pericardial area warrant consideration as standard FET test endpoints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Krzykwa
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | - Sarah M King
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kahler A, McGonnell IM, Smart H, Kowalski AA, Smith KC, Wathes DC, de Mestre AM. Fetal morphological features and abnormalities associated with equine early pregnancy loss. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:530-541. [PMID: 32869365 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early pregnancy loss (EPL) occurs in approximately 8% of equine pregnancies, although the aetiology is mostly unknown and embryonic/fetal morphological abnormalities associated with EPL are not defined. OBJECTIVES To compare the morphology of EPL to clinically normal embryos/fetuses and previously described embryonic/fetal developmental milestones. To identify morphological abnormalities associated with equine EPL. STUDY DESIGN Observational case-control study. METHODS Embryos/fetuses were obtained from clinically normal Thoroughbred and pony pregnancies (n = 11) and following EPL from Thoroughbred mares (n = 27). The crown-rump length (CRL) of embryos/fetuses was measured and macroscopic morphology and developmental age were determined independently by three blinded examiners. Sagittal sections of EPL (n = 13) and control (n = 6) embryos/fetuses were assessed microscopically. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significance (P < .05) and correlations were expressed by Pearson coefficient. RESULTS Age and CRL were strongly positively correlated in clinically normal Thoroughbred and reference (n = 15, R = .9 (95% CI: 0.8-1.0), R2 = .9, P < .0001) but not EPL embryos/fetuses (n = 19, R = .1 (95% CI: -0.4 to 0.5), R2 = .01, P = .75). Relative to controls, the CRL of EPL embryos/fetuses was smaller, with evidence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in 3/8 fetuses assessed. In 9/13 EPL embryos/fetuses, nonspecific neural tissue alterations were identified including disruption of developing pros-, mes- and rhombencephalon and the presence of haemosiderin, indicating premortem haemorrhage. Failed neural tube closure was identified in 1/13 EPL embryos/fetuses. Subcutaneous haemorrhage was present in 14/27 EPL embryos/fetuses. MAIN LIMITATIONS Autolysis significantly affected 15/27 EPL embryos/fetuses, excluding them from complete assessment. The IUGR reference cut-off values were based on a small number of controls. CONCLUSIONS Morphological features associated with equine EPL were a mismatch between embryonic/fetal size and age, and alterations of the developing neural tissue and localised subcutaneous haemorrhage. Failed neural tube closure was confirmed as a rare specific abnormality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kahler
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Imelda M McGonnell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Harriette Smart
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Alycia A Kowalski
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.,Veterinary Care, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
| | - Ken C Smith
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - D Claire Wathes
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Amanda M de Mestre
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ferris H, Robbins R, Yeates G. Atypical development in plant and soil nematodes. J Nematol 2012; 44:1-6. [PMID: 23483848 PMCID: PMC3593257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Observations of atypical developmental and anatomical characteristics have been recorded for many taxa of soil nematodes. They include the unusual occurrence of extra feeding structures, aberrant configuration of features of both male and female reproductive systems, and the occurrence of intersexes assumed to be functionally female, functionally male, or non-functional. In many cases, hypotheses have been advanced regarding the genetic or developmental mechanisms and environmental stimuli that control, regulate, or facilitate abnormalities, but many are quite speculative and lack experimental verification. Further, the fitness costs or advantages, and the heritability of aberrant characters are largely unknown, except where they clearly preclude reproduction, either apomictic or amphimictic. Underlying mechanisms and ecological consequences may be difficult to study in organisms that are not readily cultured under axenic or sterile laboratory conditions, however information on developmental processes in Caenorhabditis elegans represents an important resource in which to seek homologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Howard Ferris
- Corresponding author, Professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Many of the functions required for formation of the imaginal discs of Drosophila melanogaster larvae, from which adult structures are derived, are disc-specific and not required for formation of other larval tissues. Mutants blocked in disc-specific functions can produce mature viable larvae, indicating that larval development is not dependent on concomitant disc development. Some of the mutant larvae have no detectable discs (discless mutants), and other have small discs that cannot differentiate into adult structures (small disc mutants). From the results of genetic complementation and mapping experiments with such mutants, it was estimated that the genome of D. melanogaster contains around a thousand complementation groups, or about a fifth of all complementation groups in the genome, that are essential specifically for the development of all the discs. The developmental defects in some of the disc mutants appear to involve autonomous functions of the imaginal cells, and in other mutants functions provided by the larval environment to support disc development. This distinction was made on the basis of two functional tests. The purpose of one of the tests was to detect the presence in young embryos of determined imaginal cells capable of differentiating after transplantation to a wild-type host; the other test measured the capacity of early third-instar larvae to act as hosts for the further development of immature discs transplanted from a wild-type donor. Three discless mutants that were tested in this way appeared to be defective in autonomous functions of the imaginal cells, since the embryos contained no imaginal cells that could be detected in the first test, whereas the larvae, although devoid of discs, showed a normal capacity to support disc development in the second test. One of the small disc mutants tested was defective in a larval rather than an imaginal cell function, since the embryos had a normal complement of functional imaginal cells, whereas the larvae were incapable of supporting disc development. Thus, both types of disc-specific functions are essential for normal disc development.
Collapse
|