Burden of Rare Copy Number Variants in Microcephaly: A Brazilian Cohort of 185 Microcephalic Patients and Review of the Literature.

Microcephaly presents heterogeneous genetic etiology linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Copy number variants (CNVs) are a causal mechanism of microcephaly whose investigation is a crucial step for unraveling its molecular basis. Our purpose was to investigate the burden of rare CNVs in microcephalic individuals and to review genes and CNV syndromes associated with microcephaly. We performed chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in 185 Brazilian patients with microcephaly and evaluated microcephalic patients carrying < 200 kb CNVs documented in the DECIPHER database. Additionally, we reviewed known genes and CNV syndromes causally linked to microcephaly through the PubMed, OMIM, DECIPHER, and ClinGen databases. Rare clinically relevant CNVs were detected in 39 out of the 185 Brazilian patients investigated by CMA (21%). In 31 among the 60 DECIPHER patients carrying < 200 kb CNVs, at least one known microcephaly gene was observed. Overall, four gene sets implicated in microcephaly were disclosed: known microcephaly genes; genes with supporting evidence of association with microcephaly; known macrocephaly genes; and novel candidates, including OTUD7A, BBC3, CNTN6, and NAA15. In the review, we compiled 957 known microcephaly genes and 58 genomic CNV loci, comprising 13 duplications and 50 deletions, which have already been associated with clinical findings including microcephaly. We reviewed genes and CNV syndromes previously associated with microcephaly, reinforced the high CMA diagnostic yield for this condition, pinpointed novel candidate loci linked to microcephaly deserving further evaluation, and provided a useful resource for future research on the field of neurodevelopment.

High frequency of genetic/epigenetic disorders in short stature children born with very low birth weight.

Most infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight < 1500 g) show spontaneous catch-up growth in postnatal life. The reasons for the absence of catch-up growth are not entirely understood. We performed a comprehensive investigation of 52 children born with VLBW. Ten children had a history of an external cause that explained the VLBW and five refused genetic evaluation. Twenty-three cases were initially evaluated by a candidate gene approach. Patients with a negative result in the candidate gene approach (n = 14) or without clinical suspicion (n = 14) were assessed by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and/or whole-exome sequencing (WES). A genetic condition was identified in 19 of 37 (51.4%) patients without an external cause, nine by candidate gene approach, and 10 by a genomic approach (CMA/WES). Silver-Russell syndrome was the most frequent diagnosis (n = 5) and the remaining patients were diagnosed with other rare monogenic conditions. Almost all patients with a positive genetic diagnosis exhibited syndromic features (94.4%). However, microcephaly, neurodevelopmental disorders, major malformation, or facial dysmorphism were also frequently observed in children with an external cause. In conclusion, a significant proportion of children born with VLBW with persistent short stature have a genetic/epigenetic condition.

Noonan syndrome patients beyond the obvious phenotype: A potential unfavorable metabolic profile.

Noonan syndrome (NS) and NS related disorders (NRD) are frequent monogenic diseases. Pathogenic variants in PTPN11 are observed in approximately 50% of these NS patients. Several pleiotropic phenotypes have previously been described in this condition. This study aimed at characterizing glucose and lipid profiles in patients with NS/NRD. We assessed fasting blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol (total and fractions), and triglyceride (TG) levels in 112 prepubertal children and 73 adults. Additionally, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 40 children and 54 adults. Data were analyzed between age groups according to the presence (+) or absence (-) of PTPN11 mutation. Prepubertal patients with NS/NRD were also compared with a control group. Despite the lean phenotype of children with NS/NRD, they presented an increased frequency of low HDL-cholesterol (63% in PTPN11+, 59% in PTPN11- and 16% in control, p < .001) and high TG levels (29% in PTPN11+, 18% in PTPN11- and 2.3% in control). PTPN11+ patients had a higher median HOMA-IR (1.0, ranged from 0.3 to 3.2) in comparison with PTPN11- (0.6; 0.2 to 4.4) and controls (0.6; 0.4 to 1.4, p = .027). Impaired glucose tolerance was observed in 19% (10:54) of lean adults with NS/NRD assessed by OGTT. Moreover, women with PTPN11 mutations had lower HDL-cholesterol levels than those without. Our results suggest that children and young adult patients with NS/NRD have an unfavorable metabolic profile characterized by low HDL, a tendency of elevated TGs, and glucose metabolism impairment despite a lean phenotype.

Genetic investigation of patients with tall stature.

CONTEXT: Patients with tall stature often remain undiagnosed after clinical investigation and few studies have genetically assessed this group, most of them without a systematic approach. OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively a group of individuals with tall stature, with and without syndromic features, and to establish a molecular diagnosis for their growth disorder. DESIGN: Screening by karyotype (n = 42), chromosome microarray analyses (CMA) (n = 16), MS-MLPA (n = 2) targeted panel (n = 12) and whole-exome sequencing (n = 31). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 42 patients with tall stature after exclusion of pathologies in GH/IGF1 axis and divided them into syndromic (n = 30) and non-syndromic (n = 12) subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies of pathogenic findings. RESULTS: We identified two patients with chromosomal abnormalities including SHOX trisomy by karyotype, one 9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome by CMA, two cases of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome by targeted MS-MLPA analysis and nine cases with heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants by multigene analysis techniques (FBN1 = 3, NSD1 = 2, NFIX = 1, SUZ12 = 1, CHD8 = 1, MC4R = 1). Three of 20 patients analyzed by WES had their diagnosis established. Only one non-syndromic patient had a definitive diagnosis. The sequential genetic assessment diagnosed 14 out of 42 (33.3%) tall patients. CONCLUSION: A systematic molecular approach of patients with tall stature was able to identify the etiology in 13 out of 30 (43.3%) syndromic and 1 out of 12 (8.3%) non-syndromic patients, contributing to the genetic counseling and avoiding unfavorable outcomes in the syndromic subgroup.

ESR1 polymorphism (rs2234693) influences femoral bone mass in patients with Turner syndrome.

Most patients with Turner syndrome (TS) need hormone replacement therapy because of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism; individual outcomes, however, are highly variable. Our objective was to assess the influence of five estrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) polymorphisms (rs543650, rs1038304, rs2046210, rs2234693 and rs9340799) on adult height, breast development, uterine volume and bone mineral density (BMD). We studied 91 TS patients from a tertiary hospital using adult estrogen dose. In our group, ESR1 rs2234693 was associated with femoral neck and total hip BMD, and it accounted for around 10% of BMD variability in both sites (P < 0.01). Patients homozygous for C allele in this polymorphism had significantly lower femoral neck BMD (0.699 ± 0.065 g/cm2 vs 0.822 ± 0.113 g/cm2, P = 0.008) and total hip BMD (0.777 ± 0.118 g/cm2 vs 0.903 ± 0.098 g/cm2, P = 0.009) than patients homozygous for T allele. The other four ESR1 polymorphisms were not able to predict any of the above estrogen therapy outcomes in an isolated manner. Patients homozygous for the haplotype GCG formed by polymorphisms rs543650, rs2234693 and rs9340799 had an even more significantly lower femoral neck BMD (0.666 ± 0.049 vs 0.820 ± 0.105 g/cm2, P = 0.0047) and total hip BMD (0.752 ± 0.093 vs 0.908 ± 0.097 g/cm2, P = 0.0029) than patients homozygous for haplotypes with a T allele in rs2234693. In conclusion, homozygosity for C allele in ESR1 rs2234693 and/or for GCG haplotype appears to be associated with lower femoral neck and total hip BMD. We believe that the identification of polymorphisms related to estrogen outcomes may contribute to individualization of treatment in TS.

Genetic Disorders in Prenatal Onset Syndromic Short Stature Identified by Exome Sequencing.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a prospective genetic investigation using whole exome sequencing of a group of patients with syndromic short stature born small for gestational age of unknown cause. STUDY DESIGN: For whole exome sequencing analysis, we selected 44 children born small for gestational age with persistent short stature, and additional features, such as dysmorphic face, major malformation, developmental delay, and/or intellectual disability. Seven patients had negative candidate gene testing based on clinical suspicion and 37 patients had syndromic conditions of unknown etiology. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients, 15 (34%) had pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in genes already associated with growth disturbance: COL2A1 (n = 2), SRCAP (n = 2), AFF4, ACTG1, ANKRD11, BCL11B, BRCA1, CDKN1C, GINS1, INPP5K, KIF11, KMT2A, and POC1A (n = 1 each). Most of the genes found to be deleterious participate in fundamental cellular processes, such as cell replication and DNA repair. CONCLUSIONS: The rarity and heterogeneity of syndromic short stature make the clinical diagnosis difficult. Whole exome sequencing allows the diagnosis of previously undiagnosed patients with syndromic short stature.

Gonadal response after a single-dose stimulation test with recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) in patients with isolated prepubertal cryptorchidism.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of prepubertal gonadal Leydig cells secretion requires gonadotropin stimulation. Urinary hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is currently unavailable in many countries, however, recombinant hCG (rhCG) can be used. Our aim was to evaluate rhCG-stimulated testicular hormones in a group of patients with cryptorchidism. METHODS: We evaluated 31 prepubertal boys (age range, 0.75-9.0 years) presenting with unilateral (n = 24) or bilateral (n = 7) cryptorchidism. Patients with other genital abnormalities, previous use of hCG or testosterone or previous surgeries were excluded. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 7 days after a single subcutaneous dose of rhCG (Ovidrel® 250 mcg) to measure the testosterone, DHT (dihydrotestosterone), AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone), and inhibin B levels. RESULTS: rhCG stimulation significantly increased testosterone levels from 10 ng/dl to 247.8 ± 135.8 ng/dl, increased DHT levels from 4.6 ± 0.8 to 32.3 ± 18.0 ng/dl, and increased the T/DHT ratio from 2.2 ± 0.4 to 8.0 ± 3.5. There was also a significant increase in inhibin B (from 105.8 ± 65.2 to 132.4 ± 56.1 pg/ml; p < 0.05) and AMH levels (from 109.4 ± 52.6 to 152.9 ± 65.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01) after the rhCG stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, hormonal responses can be elicited after the rhCG stimulation test, suggesting that rhCG is a promising stimulation test to replace the urinary hCG test during the evaluation of gonadal Leydig cells function. The clinical applicability and adequate performance of rhCG testing must be investigated in future studies.

CONTEXTE: L'évaluation de la sécrétion des cellules gonadiques de Leydig prépubères nécessite une stimulation par les gonadotrophines. La gonadotrophine chorionique humaine (hCG) urinaire est actuellement indisponible dans de nombreux pays; toutefois, l'hCG recombinante (rhCG) peut être utilisée. Notre objectif était d'évaluer les hormones testiculaires sous stimulation par rhCG dans un groupe de patients qui présentaient une cryptorchidie. MÉTHODES: Nous avons évalué 31 garçons prépubères (âgés de 0,75 à 9 ans) qui présentaient une cryptorchidie uni (n=24) ou bilatérale (n=7). Ont été exclus les patients avec d'autres anomalies génitales, ceux qui avaient été traités auparavant par hCG ou testostérone ou par chirurgie. Des échantillons sanguins ont été prélevés au départ et à 7 jours après une unique dose sous cutanée de rhCG (Ovidrel® 250 mcg) pour les mesures des taux de testostérone, dihydrotestostérone (DHT), hormone antimüllérienne (AMH) et inhibine B. RÉSULTATS: La stimulation par rhCG augmente de façon significative les taux de testostérone de 10 ng/dl à 247.8±135.8 ng/dl, de DHT de 4.6±0.8 à 32.3±18.0 ng/dl, et le ratio T/DHT de 2.2±0.4 à 8.0±3.5. Les taux d'inhibine B (de 105.8±65.2 à 132.4±56.1 pg/ml; p< 0.05) et d'AMH (de 109.4±52.6 to 152.9±65.2 ng/ml; p< 0.01) ont aussi été significativement augmentés après stimulation par rhCG. CONCLUSION: Dans cette cohorte, des réponses hormonales ont été obtenues après le test de stimulation par rhCG; ceci suggère que rhCG est un test de stimulation prometteur pour remplacer le test par l'hCG urinaire lors de l'évaluation de la fonction gonadique des cellules de Leydig. L'applicabilité clinique et l'évaluation adéquate de la performance du test par rhCG doivent être étudiées dans de futures études.

Dyslipidemia in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and dyslipidemia (DLP) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of dyslipidemia in young T1D patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive. We reviewed medical records of T1D patients followed at an endocrinology service, from 1998-2012. DATA COLLECTED: gender, actual age and age at diagnosis, duration of T1D since diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), pubertal stage, glycemic control (GC) determined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG). To analyze lipid profile and metabolic control, we used the Brazilian Society of Diabetes Guidelines. RESULTS: Were included 239 T1D patients, 136 (56.9%) females; mean ± SD: actual age 15.7 ± 5.0 years and at T1D diagnosis 7.3 ± 3.9; T1D duration 10.6 ± 6.4 years, 86.6% puberty, 15.1% overweight. The prevalence of DLP was 72.5%, 63.3% females, 86.6% puberty, mean ± SD: actual age 15.4 ± 4.8 years and at T1D diagnosis 7.2 ± 4.1 years, duration of T1D 10.7 ± 6.1 years. We found high-CT in 56.7%, low-HDL = 21.7%, high LDL = 44.0%, high-TG = 11.8%. Between females with DLP, 83.5% was in puberty. We find correlation between the presence of DLP, a poor GC and BMC. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of DLP in young patients with T1D, particularly in puberty females. Programs targeting the prevention of dyslipidemia should be adopted, especially for this group, in order to prevent/delay chronic complications and cardiovascular disease.

Dyslipidemia in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objective The association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and dyslipidemia (DLP) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of dyslipidemia in young T1D patients.Materials and methods The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive. We reviewed medical records of T1D patients followed at an endocrinology service, from 1998-2012. Data collected: gender, actual age and age at diagnosis, duration of T1D since diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), pubertal stage, glycemic control (GC) determined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG). To analyze lipid profile and metabolic control, we used the Brazilian Society of Diabetes Guidelines.Results Were included 239 T1D patients, 136 (56.9%) females; mean ± SD: actual age 15.7 ± 5.0 years and at T1D diagnosis 7.3 ± 3.9; T1D duration 10.6 ± 6.4 years, 86.6% puberty, 15.1% overweight. The prevalence of DLP was 72.5%, 63.3% females, 86.6% puberty, mean ± SD: actual age 15.4 ± 4.8 years and at T1D diagnosis 7.2 ± 4.1 years, duration of T1D 10.7 ± 6.1 years. We found high-CT in 56.7%, low-HDL = 21.7%, high LDL = 44.0%, high-TG = 11.8%. Between females with DLP, 83.5% was in puberty. We find correlation between the presence of DLP, a poor GC and BMC.Conclusion We found a high prevalence of DLP in young patients with T1D, particularly in puberty females. Programs targeting the prevention of dyslipidemia should be adopted, especially for this group, in order to prevent/delay chronic complications and cardiovascular disease. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):215-9.

Medos, atitudes e convicções de estudantes de medicina de universidade pública da Região Norte, perante as doenças e a morte / Fears, attitudes and convictions of the medicine students of a public university in the North region before diseases and death

Objetivo: identificar possíveis atitudes, medos e dificuldades apresentados por estudantes de medicina de uma universidade pública da região norte. Método: aplicado questionário padronizado "Escalas de atitudes perante a doença" (EAPD) a 240 alunos do Curso de Medicina da Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), período de outubro 2006/março de 2007. Resultados: verificou-se que todos os alunos entrevistados demonstraram algum tipo de preocupação com a sua saúde e que, dentre os itens pesquisados, as escalas que obtiveram uma maior pontuação se referem à "preocupação com o adoecer" e com "os hábitos de saúde ", não havendo diferença estatística entre as séries pesquisadas. COnclusão: tais resultados indicam que se torna importante uma maior preocupação pela obtenção de um melhor equilíbrio entre aspectos informativos e formativos, que ocorrem durante o curso, com a finalidade de maior humanização na formação médica, tornando-os mais aptos a lidar com a morte e com as doenças em geral.

Objective: identify possible attitudes, fears and difficulties presented by Medicine's students of a public university in the North Region. Method: the study was accomplished with 240 medicine students of the Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA). The information was collected in a standardized questionnaire named "Scales of attitudes about the illness" (EAPD), in the period between october of 2006 and march of 2007. Results: it was verified that ali the interviewed students demonstrated some type of fear about his health and about the things researched, the scales that gotten a higher punctuation were about "fear of his health" and "the habits of health", not having difference statistics between the searched series. Conclusion: these results indica te that a balance between informative and formative aspects becomes important during the course, with the purpose of a better humanization in the medical formation, making them more apt to deal with the death and general illnesses.