Exploring inheritance, and clinical penetrance of distal Xq28 duplication syndrome: insights from 47 new unpublished cases.

BACKGROUND: Distal Xq28 duplication, or int22h1/int22h2-mediated Xq28 duplication syndrome, leads to cognitive impairment, neurobehavioral issues, and facial dysmorphisms. Existing literature has limited information on clinical traits and penetrance. METHODS: We identified cases of distal Xq28 duplication (chrX: 154,126,575-154,709,680, GRCh37/hg19) through a review of clinical records and microarray reports from five centers, encompassing both postnatal and prenatal cases, with no prior family knowledge of the duplication. RESULTS: Our search found 47 cases across 26 families, with duplications ranging from 208 to 935 Kb. In total, 8 out of 26 index cases featured a 200-300 kb partial duplication, mainly from Armenian/Caucasian Jewish backgrounds. Most prenatal cases showed no major fetal ultrasound malformations. Of cases with known inheritance mode (15 out of 26), maternal inheritance was more common (80%). The study identified seven male carriers of the duplication from six unrelated families, indicating partial penetrance in males. CONCLUSION: Our study provides key insights into distal Xq28 duplication. Most prenatal tests showed no major fetal ultrasound issues. Maternal inheritance was common, with unaffected mothers. In the postnatal group, a balanced gender distribution was observed. Among male family members, two fathers had ADHD, one was healthy, and one brother had mild symptoms, indicating partial penetrance in males.

Exploring the factors affecting classification and reporting of uncertain prenatal microarray findings, using a "virtual fetus" model-a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Significant discrepancy exists between laboratories in classification and reporting of copy number variants (CNVs). Studies exploring factors affecting prenatal CNV management are rare. Our "virtual fetus" pilot study examines these factors. METHOD: Ten prenatally diagnosed CNVs of uncertain significance (VUS) > 1Mb, encompassing OMIM-morbid genes, inherited from healthy parents, were classified by 15 MD geneticists from laboratory, prenatal, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) units. Geneticists addressed factors affecting classification, obligation to report, and recommendation for invasive testing or PGT. RESULTS: CNVs were classified likely benign (10.7%), VUS (74.7%), likely pathogenic (8.7%), or pathogenic (6.0%). Classification discrepancy was higher for losses versus gains. Classifying pathogenic/likely pathogenic was more common for losses (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 10.9, 95% CI 1.55-76.9), and geneticists specializing in gynecology (aOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.03-23.3). 84.0% of respondents would report CNVs, depending on classification and family phenotype. Invasive testing in pregnancies was recommended for 29.3% of CNVs, depending on the classification and geneticist's specialization. PGT was recommended for 32.4%, depending on classification, experience years, and family's phenotype (38.0% for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization irrespectively, 26.7% otherwise). CONCLUSION: Factors affecting CNV classification/reporting are mainly dosage, family phenotype, geneticist specialization and experience. Understanding factors from our pilot study may facilitate developing an algorithm for clinical consensus and optimal management.

Double heterozygosity for TP53 and BRCA1 mutations: clinical implications in populations with founder mutations.

PURPOSE: The co-occurrence or double heterozygosity of pathogenic/likely pathogenic sequence variants (P/LPSVs) in major cancer susceptibility genes has rarely been reported. Such co-occurrence raises the issues of accurate genetic counseling, preferred recommended surveillance scheme, and the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). METHODS: A clinical report of an Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) family with co occurrence of two PSVs in BRCA1 and TP53 and a literature search. RESULTS: In an AJ family with a substantial history of cancer limited to the maternal side, two siblings co-harbored TP53 (c.733C>A; p.G245S) and the predominant 5266dup BRCA1 mutation, originating from the mother and the father, respectively. PGD is ongoing. Four families were thus far reported as double heterozygotes for both BRCA1/BRCA2 and TP53. Based on the limited available data, it seems that the phenotype in double PSV heterozygotes is not more severe than in single PSV carrier in either gene. CONCLUSIONS: This family highlights the need to genotype both parents, especially in populations with founder mutations, when a BRCA1 mutation is detected in an offspring, regardless of family history. The combination of mutations in these two genes presents a challenge for PGD since both genes are located on chromosome 17.

The Significance of Fetal Brain Ventricular Asymmetry Without Dilation.

OBJECTIVES: Fetal brain non-dilated ventricular asymmetry (NDVA) is a common finding on prenatal ultrasound exams. However, the optimal prenatal management in these cases remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the benefit of prenatal genetic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams performed in cases of fetal NDVA detected on ultrasound. METHODS: A historical cohort study from a tertiary medical center. Singleton pregnancies with fetal brain NDVA diagnosed on ultrasound were included. We defined ventricular asymmetry as a difference of ≥2.0 mm between the lateral ventricles and ventricular dilation as ventricular width of >10.0 mm. Outcomes were evaluated with genetic exams (karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis [CMA]) and fetal brain MRI. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 145 cases diagnosed with NDVA on ultrasound that comprised the cohort study. The rate of abnormal karyotype was 1.8% (1/56) and of abnormal CMA was 10% (3/30). The rate of minor additional CNS findings did not differ between ultrasound and MRI (3.4 versus 2.8%, respectively, p = .74). No major additional fetal brain findings were detected on MRI performed after ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: In cases diagnosed with NDVA on ultrasound, no significant additional anomalies were detected on fetal brain MRI. The rate of abnormal genetic tests was relatively high and warrants further studies.

Do human embryos have the ability of self-correction?

Human embryogenesis frequently coinciding with cell division mistakes contributing to pervasive embryonic aneuploidy/mosaicism. While embryo self-correction was elegantly demonstrated in mouse models, human studies are lacking. Here we are witness to human embryos ability to eliminate/expel abnormal blastomeres as cell debris/fragments. Each blastocyst and its corresponding debris were separated and underwent whole genome amplification. Seven of the 11 pairs of blastocysts and their corresponding cell debris/fragments revealed discordant results. Of the 9 euploid blastocysts, four showed euploid debris, while in the others, the debris were aneuploid. In the remaining pairs, the debris showed additional aneuploidy to those presented by their corresponding blastocyst. The observed ability of human embryos to self-correction doubts many invasive and non-invasive preimplantation testing for aneuploidy at the blastocyst stage, rendering high rate of false positive (discarding "good" embryos) by identifying the cell-free DNA originated from the expelled cell debris, as aneuploidy/mosaic blastocyst.

Timing day-3 vitrification for PGT-M embryos: pre- or post-blastomere biopsy?

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and clinical outcomes of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT-M), following blastomere biopsy prior or following vitrification. METHODS: A cohort-historical study of all consecutive patients admitted to IVF in a large tertiary center for PGT-M and PCR cycle from September 2016 to March 2020. Patients were divided into 4 groups: Group A1 consisted of patients undergoing day-3 embryos biopsy followed by a fresh transfer of unaffected embryos. Group A2 consisted of Group A1 patients that their surplus unaffected embryos were vitrified, thawed, and transferred in a subsequent FET cycle. Group B1 consisted of patients that their day-3 embryos were vitrified intact (without biopsy) for a subsequent FET cycle. Later embryos were thawed and underwent blastomere biopsies, and the unaffected embryos were transferred, while the surplus unaffected embryos were re-vitrified for a subsequent FET cycle. Group B2 consisted of Group B1 patients that their surplus unaffected embryos were re-vitrified, thawed, and transferred in a subsequent FET cycle. The laboratory data and clinical results were collected and compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 368 patients underwent 529 PGT-M cycles in our center: 347 with day-3 embryos biopsied before undergoing vitrification (Group A1) and 182 following vitrification and thawing (Group B1). There were no between group differences in embryo survival rate post-thawing, nor the ongoing implantation and pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: In PGT-M cycles, the timing of embryos vitrification, whether prior or following blastomere biopsy, has no detrimental effect on post-thawing embryo survival rate, nor their potential ongoing implantation and pregnancy rates.

Chromosomal abnormalities not currently detected by cell-free fetal DNA: a retrospective analysis at a single center.

BACKGROUND: Cell-free fetal DNA analysis is used as a screening test to identify pregnancies that are at risk for common autosomal and sex chromosome aneuploidies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the chromosomal abnormalities that would not be detected by cell-free fetal DNA in a single medical center. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 3182 consecutive invasive diagnostic procedures that were performed at Montefiore Medical Center's Division of Reproductive and Medical Genetics from January 1, 2009 to August 31, 2014. All patients underwent cytogenetic analysis; one-third of the patients (1037/3182) went through chromosomal microarray analysis. RESULTS: Clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 220 of 3140 cases (7%) after we excluded multiple gestation pregnancies (n = 42). Of these 125 cases (57%) were diagnosed with the common autosomal trisomies that involved chromosomes 21, 18, and 13 and with sex chromosome aneuploidies. There were 23 mosaic karyotypes; 8 of them involved trisomy in chromosomes 21 and 13; 5 of them were sex chromosome mosaics, and 10 of them were other mosaic cases. Five cases of triploidy were detected. Additionally, 19 unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements, a rare autosomal trisomy, and 47 clinically significant findings on chromosomal microarray analysis were diagnosed. Based on the published detection rates of cell-free fetal DNA testing and considering the "no-results" rate, we calculated that 99 of 220 chromosomal changes (45%) could not have been detected by cell-free fetal DNA testing: 16 of the 125 common aneuploidies and sex chromosome aneuploidies, 1 of the 5 triploidy cases, 15 of the 23 mosaic cases, all cases of unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements (n = 19), rare autosomal trisomy (n = 1), and 47 clinically significant chromosomal microarray abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Current cell-free DNA testing could not detect up to one-half of the clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities that were found, which included clinically significant chromosomal microarray abnormalities. Among the 99 abnormal karyotypes that were not identified by cell-free DNA screening, 79% were from women with abnormal screening or abnormal ultrasound finding; 21% were from women who underwent invasive testing simply for advanced maternal age/concern, with no other risk factors or ultrasound findings. This information highlights the limitations of cell-free DNA screening and the importance of counseling patients about all prenatal screening and diagnostic procedures and about the added gain of invasive testing with karyotype and microarray.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy ­ risk factors, characteristics and long-term follow-up.

AIMS: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an infrequent form of cardiomyopathy causing significant maternal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors, characteristics and prognosis of PPCM during the index and subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 36 women with PPCM in a tertiary medical center was analyzed and compared with 10,370 women who gave birth during a single calendar year at the same institution. RESULTS: Women diagnosed with PPCM were older (mean 33.5 years) than controls. A significantly higher proportion were primiparous (63.9%), carried multifetal pregnancies (33.3%) and had hypertensive pregnancy complications (38.9%). Thirty-six percent of PPCM patients conceived with in vitro fertilization, and six of them received ovum donation. Twenty-two women had severe left ventricular dysfunction at diagnosis, and these women tended to remain with residual disease, compared with women with milder ventricular dysfunction at diagnosis. Eight patients recovered completely within 2 weeks of diagnosis. Women who recovered early (n=8) had significantly higher ejection fractions on last follow-up compared with women (n=28) who had late or partial recovery. Nine women had 14 additional pregnancies; of them eight women had normal cardiac functions on subsequent pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy include primiparity, hypertension and multifetal pregnancies. Assisted reproduction techniques are not independently associated with PPCM but rather through other risk factors for PPCM. The degree of cardiac dysfunction at diagnosis and time to recovery are important prognostic factors.

High positive antibody titers and adverse pregnancy outcome in women with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), high positive antibody titers are associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Sheba Medical Center, Israel, a tertiary referral center. POPULATION SAMPLE: Pregnant women with APS. METHODS: Anticardiolipin, a-ß2-glycoprotein I antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant were measured before pregnancy. Women were divided into those with antibody titers >four times the upper limit of normal (high positive titer, HPT group), and the rest, into the positive titer (PT) group. All women were treated with daily enoxaparin and aspirin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Composite adverse fetal/neonatal outcome, defined as one or more of the following: fetal/neonatal loss, preterm birth ≤ 32 weeks, and birthweight below than 10th percentile. Composite adverse fetal/neonatal outcome was compared between the HPT and PT groups. Maternal adverse outcomes were also compared. RESULTS: 51 women with APS were followed during 55 pregnancies, 20 in the HPT and 35 in the PT groups. The two groups were similar with regard to previous obstetric and clinical characteristics. Among HPT women, only 7/20 (35%) pregnancies culminated in appropriately grown, live-born infants >32 weeks' gestation, compared with 27/35 (77%) PT pregnancies. The risk of adverse fetal/neonatal outcome was 5.7 times higher (95%CI 1.9-17.7) for HPT than for PT women. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with APS and high positive antiphospholipid antibody titers are a unique and extremely high risk group for adverse fetal/neonatal outcome. Stricter surveillance and possibly additional therapy options should be explored for this patient population.

Can expelled cells/debris from a developing embryo be used for PGT?

BACKGROUND: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is offered to a wide range of structural and numerical chromosomal imbalances, with PGT- polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as the method of choice for amplifying the small DNA content achieved from the blastomere biopsy or trophectoderm (TE) biopsy, that might have a detrimental impact on embryonic implantation potential. Since human embryos cultured until Day-5-6 were noticed to expel cell debris/ fragments within the zona pellucida, we aimed to examine whether these cell debris/ fragments might be used for PGT, as an alternative to embryo biopsy. METHODS: Blastocysts, which their Day-3 blastomere biopsy revealed an affected embryo with single-gene defect, and following hatching leaved cell debris/fragments within the zona pellucida were analyzed. Each blastocyst and its corresponding cell debris/fragments were separated and underwent the same molecular analysis, based on multiplex PCR programs designed for haplotyping using informative microsatellites markers. The main outcome measure was the intra-embryo congruity of Day-3 blastomere biopsy and its corresponding blastocyst and cell debris/fragments. RESULTS: Fourteen affected embryos from 9 women were included. Only 8/14 (57.2%) of embryos demonstrated congruent molecular genetic results between Day-3 embryo and its corresponding blastocyst and cell debris/fragments. In additional 6/14 (42.8%) embryos, molecular results of the Day-3 embryos and their corresponding blastocysts were congruent, while the cell debris/fragments yielded no molecular diagnoses (incomplete diagnoses). CONCLUSIONS: It might be therefore concluded, that in PGT cycles, examining the cell debris/fragments on Day-4, instead of Day-3 blastomere or Day-5 TE biopsies, is feasible and might avoid embryo biopsy with its consequent detrimental effect on embryos' implantation potential. Whenever the latter results in incomplete diagnosis, TE biopsy should be carried out on Day-5 for final genetic results. Further large well-designed studies are required to validate the aforementioned PGT platform.

Is Day-4 morula biopsy a feasible alternative for preimplantation genetic testing?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and clinical outcome of PGT-M undertaken on Day-3, Day-4 and Day-4 "delayed" embryos that were unsuitable for biopsy on Day-3. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort-historical study of all consecutive patients admitted to the IVF-PGT-M program in a large tertiary center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The pregnancy rates and the percentages of complete, incomplete diagnosis, PCR failure, abnormal embryos in PGT of Day-3 cleavage-stage, Day-4 and Day-4 "delayed" embryos. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical files of all consecutive patients admitted to our IVF for a fresh IVF-PGT-M cycle. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the day of blastomere biopsy: Day 3 cleavage-stage, Day-4 morula and Day-4 "delayed" embryos. The laboratory data, genetic diagnostic and clinical results were collected and compared between the different study groups. RESULTS: Nine hundred and six patients underwent PGT-M cycles in our PGT program: 747, 127 and 32 in the Day-3, Day- 4 and Day-4 "delayed" groups, respectively. Ongoing pregnancy rates per transfer and per patient (15.8% and 9.4%, respectively) were non-significantly lower in the Day-4 "delayed", compared to Day-3 (21.4% and 17.5%, respectively) and Day-4 (24.3% and 19.7%, respectively). When comparing ALL morulas (Day-4 and Day-4 "delayed") to ALL cleavage-stage embryos (Day-3, Day-4 and Day-4 "delayed"), a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate was demonstrated following the transfer of embryos derived from morula biopsy, as compared to biopsy at the cleavage-stage (33.3% vs 20.5%, p<0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Day-4 embryo biopsy is feasible and yields comparable and even higher ongoing pregnancy rate if undertaken at the morula stage. Further studies evaluating the cumulative live-birth rate per started cycles in Day-3 vs Day-4 embryo biopsy for PGT-M are warranted.

Maternal hypercalcemia as a possible cause of unexplained fetal polyhydramnion: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to present a possible association between maternal hypercalcemia and fetal polyhydramnion. STUDY DESIGN: Five cases of maternal hypercalcemia were diagnosed with otherwise unexplained fetal polyhydramnion. Cases are outlined; maternal and fetal/neonatal investigation, treatment, and outcome are presented. RESULTS: Fetal polyhydramnion was identified sonographically (mean amniotic fluid index = 32 +/- 11.3 cm). Maternal hypercalcemia (mean 12.8 +/- 1.1 mg/dL) led to the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Of the 5 women, 4 underwent parathyroidectomy. One had a hypercalcemic crisis and intrauterine fetal demise. Neonatal hypercalcemia of remaining infants was documented (mean 13 +/- 1 mg/dL), with subsequent hypocalcemia in 1 of the neonates. All mothers and the 4 live neonates were discharged in good condition. CONCLUSION: We suggest that fetuses exposed to a hypercalcemic environment may have polyuria develop similar to adult hypercalcemic polyuria, leading to fetal polyhydramnion. Maternal serum calcium levels may be part of the investigation in otherwise unexplained polyhydramnion, as maternal hypercalcemia may threaten the health of both mother and fetus.

Primary Peritoneal Serous Carcinoma in Men: A Rare and Non-BRCA-associated Entity.

BACKGROUND: Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is a rare neoplasm. The paucity of reported cases among men may provide insight to the cell of origin of PPSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search for the ICD 0-3 code of PPSC (C48.2) in the following datasets: the Israeli National Cancer registry (INCR), the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database in the USA, Israeli male BRCA carriers, male high-risk and BRCA carriers in a USA study, and the Italian Study on Male Breast Cancer (MBC) were performed. RESULTS: In the INCR dataset, 220 entries for C48.2 code were noted, with only one male (male:female ratio=0.0045). In the SEER dataset for histology codes of papillary/serous/ adenocarcinoma, 2,673 cases were recorded, with five males (male:female ratio=0.0018). None of the recorded US or Italian male BRCA carriers or MBC, or Israeli male BRCA carriers was diagnosed with PPSC. CONCLUSION: PPSC is a rare neoplasm, seemingly not associated with BRCA mutations in men, and fallopian tube epithelial cell implants may contribute to its development.

Cell-free DNA: Comparison of Technologies.

Cell-free fetal DNA screening for Down syndrome has gained rapid acceptance over the past few years with increasing market penetration. Three main laboratory methodologies are currently used: a massive parallel shotgun sequencing (MPSS), a targeted massive parallel sequencing (t-MPS) and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based approach. Although each of these technologies has its own advantages and disadvantages, the performance of all was shown to be comparable and superior to that of traditional first-trimester screening for the detection of trisomy 21 in a routine prenatal population. Differences in performance were predominantly shown for chromosomal anomalies other than trisomy 21. Understanding the limitations and benefits of each technology is essential for proper counseling to patients. These technologies, as well as few investigational technologies described in this review, carry a great potential beyond screening for the common aneuploidies.

[Streptococcus group C bacteremia and meningitis].

Group C streptococci are common causative agents of infections in animals, but a rare cause of bacteremia and meningitis in humans. Severe infections caused by this bacterium are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. This article presents a case study of a young patient who suffered from bacteremia and meningitis that were caused by streptococcus group C. The clinical manifestations, prognosis and treatment options of this kind of infection are discussed.