Mutational spectrum of breast cancer susceptibility genes among women ascertained in a cancer risk clinic in Northeast Brazil.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of data on the spectrum and prevalence of pathogenic variants among women of African ancestry in the Northeast region of Brazil. METHODS: We performed BROCA panel sequencing to identify inherited loss-of-function variants in breast cancer susceptibility genes among 292 Brazilian women referred to a single institution cancer risk assessment program. RESULTS: The study included a convenient cohort of 173 women with invasive breast cancer (cases) and 119 women who were cancer-free at the time of ascertainment. The majority of the women self-reported as African-descended (67% for cases and 90.8% for unaffected volunteers). Thirty-seven pathogenic variants were found in 36 (20.8%) patients. While the spectrum of pathogenic variants was heterogeneous, the majority (70.3%) of the pathogenic variants were detected in high-risk genes BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, and TP53. Pathogenic variants were also found in the ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, FAM175A, FANCM, NBN, and SLX4 genes in 6.4% of the affected women. Four recurrent pathogenic variants were detected in 11 patients of African ancestry. Only one unaffected woman had a pathogenic variant in the RAD51C gene. Different risk assessment models examined performed well in predicting risk of carrying germline loss-of-function variants in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 in breast cancer cases. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence and heterogenous spectrum of pathogenic variants identified among self-reported African descendants in Northeast Brazil is consistent with studies in other African ancestry populations with a high burden of aggressive young onset breast cancer. It underscores the need to integrate comprehensive cancer risk assessment and genomic testing in the management of newly diagnosed Black women with breast cancer across the African Diaspora, enabling improved cancer control in admixed underserved and understudied populations.

Novel ANKRD11 gene mutation in an individual with a mild phenotype of KBG syndrome associated to a GEFS+ phenotypic spectrum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: KBG syndrome is a very rare autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by macrodontia, distinctive craniofacial findings, skeletal findings, post-natal short stature, and developmental delays, sometimes associated with seizures and EEG abnormalities. So far, there have been over 100 cases of KBG syndrome reported. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe two sisters of a non-consanguineous family, both presenting generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures (GEFS+), and one with a more complex phenotype associated with mild intellectual disability, skeletal and dental anomalies. Whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis in all the family members revealed a heterozygous SCN9A mutation, p.(Lys655Arg), shared among the father and the two probands, and a novel de novo loss of function mutation in the ANKRD11 gene, p.(Tyr1715*), in the proband with the more complex phenotype. The reassessment of the phenotypic features confirmed that the patient fulfilled the proposed diagnostic criteria for KBG syndrome, although complicated by early-onset isolated febrile seizures. EEG abnormalities with or without seizures have been reported previously in some KBG cases. The shared variant, occurring in SCN9A, has been previously found in several individuals with GEFS+ and Dravet syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This report describe a novel de novo variant in ANKRD11 causing a mild phenotype of KGB syndrome and further supports the association of monogenic pattern of SCN9A mutations with GEFS+. Our data expand the allelic spectrum of ANKRD11 mutations, providing the first Brazilian case of KBG syndrome. Furthermore, this study offers an example of how WES has been instrumental allowing us to better dissect the clinical phenotype under study, which is a multilocus variation aggregating in one proband, rather than a phenotypic expansion associated with a single genomic locus, underscoring the role of multiple rare variants at different loci in the etiology of clinical phenotypes making problematic the diagnostic path. The successful identification of the causal variant in a gene may not be sufficient, making it necessary to identify other variants that fully explain the clinical picture. The prevalence of blended phenotypes from multiple monogenic disorders is currently unknown and will require a systematic re-analysis of large WES datasets for proper diagnosis in daily practice.

Description of rare mutations and a novel variant in Brazilian patients with Cystic Fibrosis: a case series from a referral center in the Bahia State.

Knowledge of the genetic profile of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) contributes to a better understanding of the genotype/phenotype relationship, particularly in mixed populations such as in Brazil. To describe clinical data of CF patients with rare or not yet observed CFTR gene mutations in Brazil. It was a case series of CF patients followed-up at a referral center. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained through medical records. Molecular analysis of the mutations was performed by conventional methods and/or by next-generation sequencing. Ten patients were studied, seven had five pathogenic mutations without previous description in Brazil (Q1100P, Y109C, A107P, E1409K and K162E), one of which has not yet been reported in patients with CF (A107P). Among the seven patients, three (two siblings) had the second mutant allele of rare occurrence among Brazilians patients (G1069R and 2307insA). Three other patients also had at least one rare variant (V201M, S466X and G1069R). The age of the CF diagnosis ranged from 1 to 190 months in the ten cases and the main clinical manifestations were respiratory symptoms and difficulty in gaining weight. All but one patient presented clinical and/or laboratory data compatible with pancreatic insufficiency. The identification of rare or not yet described CFTR mutations in patients with CF in Brazil highlights the high genetic heterogeneity in this population. Knowledge of the genotypic profile of Brazilian CF patients can contribute to the development of specific mutation panels for the genetic investigation targeting each region of the country, as well as helping to understand the complex genotype/phenotype relationship, especially in mixed populations.

Gender Identity and Sexual Function in 46,XX Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Raised as Males.

In individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and 46,XX karyotype, androgens produced by the adrenal glands during the intrauterine development promote virilization of the genitals, which may even result in the development of a well-formed penis. Some of these children with late diagnosis are registered as males after birth. After obtaining approval from the internal review board, we evaluated gender identity and sexual function in four 46,XX severely virilized patients with CAH, who were originally registered and raised as males, assisted in our Disorders of Sexual Development Clinic. The evaluation consisted of questionnaires to assess gender identity and sexual activity and interview with the multidisciplinary team that provides care for these patients. The patients underwent surgery to remove uterus, ovaries, and remaining vaginal structures, in addition to implantation of testicular prosthesis and correction of hypospadias, when necessary. All four patients have developed a clear male gender identity, and when evaluated for sexual activity, they have reported having erections, libido, orgasms, and sexual attraction to women only. Two of these 4 patients had satisfactory sexual intercourses when assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. The other two patients who never had sexual intercourse reported not having a partner for sexual activity; one is 18 years old, and the other is 14 years old. This study showed that this group of 46,XX severely virilized patients with CAH, registered and raised as males, adapted well to the assigned male gender, with satisfactory sexual function in patients who had sexual intercourse.

Effects of Pamidronate on Dental Enamel Formation Assessed by Light Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Microhardness Testing.

The aim of the present work was to investigate birefringence and morphology of the secretory-stage enamel organic extracellular matrix (EOECM), and structural and mechanical properties of mature enamel of upper incisors from adult rats that had been treated with pamidronate disodium (0.5 mg/kg/week for 56 days), using transmitted polarizing and bright-field light microscopies (TPLM and BFLM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microhardness testing. BFLM showed no morphological changes of the EOECM in pamidronate and control groups, but TPLM revealed a statistically significant reduction in optical retardation values of birefringence brightness of pamidronate-treated rats when compared with control animals (p0.05). The present study indicates that pamidronate can affect birefringence of the secretory-stage EOECM, which does not seem to be associated with significant changes in morphological and/or mechanical properties of mature enamel.

Clinical profile of 93 cases of 46, XY disorders of sexual development in a referral center.

The term DSD refers to disorders that affect the normal process of sexual development causing disagreement between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex, and this study aimed to describe the clinical profile of a group with DSD 46, XY joined on DSD Clinic of Hospital of Salvador, Bahia Clinics. It was a retrospective study of medical records of survey data of 93 patients with DSD 46, XY. Among the patients studied 50.5% had no defined etiology and 20.4% had androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), 63.4% had been initially recorded in males, 31 (33.3%) in females, being that in two it was necessary to reassignment. All patients with complete AIS pure gonadal dysgenesis and had female genitalia. Others have been diagnosed with genital ambiguity or severe hypospadias and cryptorchidism. The gonads were palpable at the first consultation in 75.3% of patients. It is important to establish an active surveillance program for these patients. The first assessment took place before the age of ten in more than 50% of cases, which shows that much needs to be done for medical education and community about the DSD. Because the phenotypic variability of sexual development disorders was noted that the clinical profile of patients studied ranged between different etiologies, including hindering the diagnostic conclusion of these individuals.

Spinocerebellar ataxias in Brazil--frequencies and modulating effects of related genes.

This study describes the frequency of spinocerebellar ataxias and of CAG repeats range in different geographical regions of Brazil, and explores the hypothetical role of normal CAG repeats at ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A, and ATXN7 genes on age at onset and on neurological findings. Patients with symptoms and family history compatible with a SCA were recruited in 11 cities of the country; clinical data and DNA samples were collected. Capillary electrophoresis was performed to detect CAG lengths at SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7, SCA12, SCA17, and DRPLA associated genes, and a repeat primed PCR was used to detect ATTCT expansions at SCA10 gene. Five hundred forty-four patients (359 families) were included. There were 214 SCA3/MJD families (59.6 %), 28 SCA2 (7.8 %), 20 SCA7 (5.6 %), 15 SCA1 (4.2 %), 12 SCA10 (3.3 %), 5 SCA6 (1.4 %), and 65 families without a molecular diagnosis (18.1 %). Divergent rates of SCA3/MJD, SCA2, and SCA7 were seen in regions with different ethnic backgrounds. 64.7 % of our SCA10 patients presented seizures. Among SCA2 patients, longer ATXN3 CAG alleles were associated with earlier ages at onset (p < 0.036, linear regression). A portrait of SCAs in Brazil was obtained, where variation in frequencies seemed to parallel ethnic differences. New potential interactions between some SCA-related genes were presented.

Identifying Genetic Etiology in Patients with Intellectual Disability: An Experience in Public Health Services in Northeastern Brazil.

Intellectual disability (ID) is considered a common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects up to 3% of the population. The etiologic origin of ID may be genetic, environmental, and multifactorial. Chromosomopathies are relatively common among the genetic causes of ID, especially in the most severe cases and those associated with dysmorphic features. Currently, the application of new molecular cytogenetics technologies has increasingly allowed the identification of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalanced translocations as causes of ID. The objective of this study was to investigate the etiology of ID in patients admitted to a public hospital in Northeastern Brazil. In total, 119 patients with ID who had normal karyotypes and fragile X exams participated in this study. The patients were initially physically examined for microdeletion syndromes and then tested using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), according to clinical suspicion. Patients with no diagnoses after FISH, MLPA, and/or MS-PCR evaluations were subsequently tested by CMA. The rate of etiologic diagnoses of ID in the current study was 28%. FISH diagnosed 25 out of 79 tested (31%), MLPA diagnosed 26 out of 79 tested (32%), MS-PCR diagnosed 7 out of 20 tested (35%), and the single nucleotide polymorphism array diagnosed 6 out of 27 tested (22%). Although the CMA is the most complete and recommended tool for the diagnosis of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalance translocations in patients with ID, FISH, MLPA, and MS-PCR testing can be used as the first tests for specific syndromes, as long as the patients are first physically screened clinically, especially in the public health networks system in Brazil, where resources are scarce.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 has multiple ancestral origins.

INTRODUCTION: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a dominant neurodegenerative disorder due to expansions of a CAG repeat tract (CAGexp) at the ATXN2 gene. Previous studies found only one ancestral haplotype worldwide, with a C allele at rs695871. This homogeneity was unexpected, given the severe anticipations related to SCA2. We aimed to describe informative ancestral haplotypes found in South American SCA2 families. METHODS: Seventy-seven SCA2 index cases were recruited from Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay; 263 normal chromosomes were used as controls. The SNPs rs9300319, rs3809274, rs695871, rs1236900 and rs593226, and the STRs D12S1329, D12S1333, D12S1672 and D12S1332, were used to reconstruct haplotypes. RESULTS: Eleven ancestral haplotypes were found in SCA2 families. The most frequent ones were A-G-C-C-C (46.7 % of families), G-C-C-C-C (24.6 %) and A-C-C-C-C (10.3 %) and their mean (sd) CAGexp were 41.68 (3.55), 40.42 (4.11) and 45.67 (9.70) (p = 0.055), respectively. In contrast, the mean (sd) CAG lengths at normal alleles grouped per haplotypes G-C-G-A-T, A-G-C-C-C and G-C-C-C-C were 22.97 (3.93), 23.85 (3.59), and 30.81 (4.27) (p < 0.001), respectively. The other SCA2 haplotypes were rare: among them, a G-C-G-A-T lineage was found, evidencing a G allele in rs695871. CONCLUSION: We identified several distinct ancestral haplotypes in SCA2 families, including an unexpected lineage with a G allele at rs695871, a variation never found in hundreds of SCA2 patients studied worldwide. SCA2 has multiple origins in South America, and more studies should be done in other regions of the world.

Chimerism 47,XY, + 8/46,XX: Follow-up for 11 Years.

Approximately 30 sex chromosome discordant chimera cases have been reported to date. In particular, there are few reported cases of chimerism involving coexisting normal and abnormal lineages that each carries a distinct sex chromosome complement. To our knowledge, this is the first case of sexual chimerism with a simultaneous chromosomal aneuploidy involving chromosome 8. This report represents the data from 11 years of follow-up.

Vocal profile of 46,XX individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. / Perfil vocal de indivíduos 46,XX com hiperplasia adrenal congênita.

PURPOSE: Describe the vocal profile of 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients followed up at the Genetics Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University Bahia (GOC-UFBA). METHODS: This is a descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 28 volunteers: 14 individuals diagnosed with CAH, followed up by the multiprofessional team of the GOC-UFBA, and 14 46,XX individuals without vocal changes and endocrine and/or genetic pathologies. Voice sample collection was performed individually in a quiet environment with participants properly seated. Acoustic (PRAAT program) and auditory-perceptual (Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice - CAPE-V) analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the qualitative assessment of pitch, eight (61.54%) patients in the CAH group showed low vocal pattern and eight (61.54%) individuals in the group without CAH presented high vocal pattern. There were statistically significant differences between the groups only for the following vocal attributes of the CAPE-V: overall severity (p=0.01), roughness (p=0.00), and pitch (p=0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed in the other acoustic parameters investigated (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that 46,XX CAH individuals, even when submitted to hormone therapy, present rough, low, deviant voice.

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil vocal de indivíduos 46,XX com hiperplasia adrenal congênita, acompanhados no Ambulatório de Genética da Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e exploratório, com corte transversal. A amostra foi de conveniência e participaram do estudo 28 voluntários, 14 diagnosticados com hiperplasia adrenal congênita, acompanhados pela equipe multiprofissional do Ambulatório de Genética da UFBA, e 14 indivíduos 46,XX sem alterações vocais e ausência de patologia de cunho endócrino e/ou genético. A coleta das vozes foi realizada individualmente, em um ambiente silencioso, com as participantes devidamente sentadas. Realizaram-se análises perceptivo-auditiva (CAPE-V) e acústica. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao julgamento qualitativo do pitch, verificou-se que oito (61,54%) pacientes do grupo com hiperplasia adrenal congênita apresentaram um padrão vocal agravado e 8 (61,54%) do grupo sem a doença apresentaram um padrão vocal agudizado. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos apenas para as medidas da análise perceptivo-auditiva (CAPE-V) grau geral (p = 0,01), rugosidade (p = 0,00) e pitch (p = 0,01). Os demais parâmetros investigados na análise acústica não diferiram significativamente (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que indivíduos 46,XX com hiperplasia adrenal congênita, mesmo submetidos à terapêutica hormonal, apresentam qualidade vocal rugosa, pitch agravado e voz desviada.

METABOLIC CONTROL AND BODY COMPOSITION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH PHENYLKETONURIA.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize metabolic control and verify whether it has any relation with socioeconomic, demographic, and body composition variables in children and adolescents with phenylketonuria (PKU) diagnosed in the neonatal period. METHODS: This cohort study collected retrospective data of 53 phenylketonuric children and adolescents. Data on family income, housing, and mother's age and schooling level were collected, and anthropometric measures of body composition and distribution were taken. All dosages of phenylalanine (Phe) from the last five years (2015-2019) were evaluated and classified regarding their adequacy (cutoffs: 0-12 years: 2-6 mg/dL; 12-19 years: 2-10 mg/dL). Adequate metabolic control was considered if ≥7%) of the dosages were within desired ranges. RESULTS: The mean (±standard deviation) age in the last year was 10.1±4.6 years. Most of them were under 12 years old (33/53; 62.3%) and had the classic form of the disease (39/53; 73.6%). Better metabolic control was observed among adolescents (68.4 versus 51.4%; p=0.019). Overweight was found in 9/53 (17%) and higher serum Phe levels (p<0.001) were found in this group of patients. Metabolic control with 70% or more Phe level adequacy decreased along with the arm muscle area (AMA) (ptendency=0.042), being 70.0% among those with low reserve (low AMA), and 18.5% among those with excessive reserve (high AMA). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate metabolic control was observed in most patients. The findings suggest that, in this sample, the levels of phenylalanine may be related to changes in body composition.

Searching chromosome mosaicisms in 45,X Turner syndrome: how relevant is it?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of chromosome mosaicism, especially for the presence of Y derived material in 45,X women with Turner syndrome (TS). METHODS: FISH and PCR were performed for the presence of chromosome mosaicism and Y-derived-material and genetic findings were correlated to clinical data. RESULTS: Thirty-one participants were enrolled: 18 (58%) had chromosome mosaicisms (FISH), Y-derived material was found in 2. Yet, SRY primer was found with PCR in only one of them and DYZ3 was not found. The most frequent clinical findings were short or webbed neck (81,82%), high-arched palate (78%), breast hypertelorism, e cubitus valgus and genu valgus (57.6%, both), short fourth metacarpals (46.9%), epicanthic folds (43.8%), shield chest (43.8%), lymphedema (37.5%), and low set ears (34.4%). Both patients with Y-derived-material had primary amenorrhea, dyslipidemia and reached the height of 150 cm despite not treated with recombinant growth hormone (GHr). One of them showed 26% of leukocytes with Y-derived material and few clinical findings. CONCLUSION: FISH techniques proved efficient in detecting chromosome mosaicisms and Y-derived material and searching in different tissues such as mouth cells is critical due to the possibility of tissue-specific mosaicism. Phenotypical variance in TS may be a signal of chromosome mosaicisms, especially with the presence of Y-derived material.

Is there an association between prostate-specific antigen and androgen levels in 46, XX patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

INTRODUCTION: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic disease characterized by defective cortisol synthesis and excessive levels of sex hormones, can cause precocious puberty in both sexes in untreated individuals and virilization in female patients with a 46, XX karyotype. The female paraurethral (Skene's) gland has been reported as prostate analogous. Growth of prostate tissue is associated with androgen production; therefore, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels may represent a marker of virilization in 46, XX patients with CAH. OBJECTIVES: To describe PSA levels in 46, XX patients and evaluate whether higher PSA levels are associated with androgenization and the severity of the disease. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-six patients with CAH and a 46, XX karyotype were included, irrespective of age. Serum PSA, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione levels were measured. Patients' age, age at diagnosis, forms of the disease, Prader classification, bone age assessment, sex of rearing, surgery, and the presence of clinical complications were obtained from their medical records. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 11.45 ± 10.74 years. Forty-three patients (65%) were diagnosed neonatally at a median of 0.08 years (mean 1.47 ± 2.34 years), with registers of 17-OHP measurements (Guthrie test) being available in 51%. Testosterone, 17-OHP and androstenedione were significantly high. PSA was detectable in 25% of cases (levels >0.01 ng/ml), with a mean of 0.03 ± 0.09 ng/ml, and only in patients over five years of age. A correlation was found between PSA and age (p < 0.001), age at diagnosis (p = 0.002), testosterone (p = 0.001) and androstenedione (p = 0.023). There was no correlation between PSA and the forms of CAH or Prader classification. A sub-analysis of the patients over five years of age in whom PSA was detectable also showed that there was a correlation between PSA (p < 0.05) and age at analysis, age at diagnosis, testosterone and androstenedione levels. DISCUSSION: Limitations of this study include the small sample size due to the rareness of the disease, its retrospective nature, the absence of a control group, the fact that the sample was selected at two referral centers, which could have resulted in a selection bias, and the use of different reference values in the different laboratories conducting the PSA tests. CONCLUSIONS: PSA is detectable in 25% of 46, XX patients with CAH, only after five years of age. PSA level increases significantly with age, age at diagnosis, and testosterone and androstenedione levels, confirming a correlation between PSA levels and elevated androgen levels.

Trisomy 16q21 --> qter: Seven-year follow-up of a girl with unusually long survival.

The 16q21 --> qter duplication is a chromosomal abnormality rarely found in liveborn infants, with only four published cases. We report here on the 7-year follow-up of a female patient with trisomy 16q21 --> qter due to a maternal balanced translocation t(4;16)(q35.2;q21). The patient shows severe mental retardation, congenital heart malformations, nephropathy, and other congenital anomalies. The derivative chromosome was characterized by GTG banding, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with different BAC probes and the array technique, in order to map the breakpoints. The patient has a 16q21 --> qter duplication, with a 4q35 --> qter monosomy, which we assume does not contribute to the abnormal phenotype. This is the first reported case of postnatal survival to the age of 7 years, an unusually long time in this chromosomal syndrome.

MLH1 intronic variants mapping to + 5 position of splice donor sites lead to deleterious effects on RNA splicing.

Germline pathogenic variants in the DNA mismatch repair genes (MMR): MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, are causative of Lynch syndrome (LS). However, many of the variants mapping outside the invariant splice site positions (IVS ± 1, IVS ± 2) are classified as variants of unknown significance (VUS). Three such variants (MLH1 c.588+5G>C, c.588+5G>T and c.677+5G>A) were identified in 8 unrelated LS families from Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Herein, we collected clinical information on these families and performed segregation analysis and RNA splicing studies to assess the implication of these VUS in LS etiology. Pedigrees showed a clear pattern of variant co-segregation with colorectal cancer and/or other LS-associated malignancies. Tumors presented deficient expression of MLH1-PMS2 proteins in 7/7 of the LS families, and MSI-high status in 3/3 cases. Moreover, RNA analyses revealed that c.588+5G>C and c.588+5G>T induce skipping of exon 7 whereas c.677+5G>A causes skipping of exon 8. In sum, we report that the combined clinical findings in the families and the molecular studies provided the evidences needed to demonstrate that the three MLH1 variants are causative of LS and to classify c.588+5G>C and c.677+5G>A as class 5 (pathogenic), and c.588+5G>T as class 4 (likely-pathogenic). Our findings underline the importance of performing clinical and family analyses, as well as RNA splicing assays in order to determine the clinical significance of intronic variants, and contribute to the genetic counseling and clinical management of patients and their relatives.

HLA class II polymorphism in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus from a Brazilian racially admixtured population.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated a fundamental role for the histocompatibility antigens (ie, human leukocyte antigens or HLA) in the susceptibility of, or protection to, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, this has not been adequately studied in racially admixtured populations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of HLA class II (DQA1, DQB1 and DRB1) associated to susceptibility or protection toT1DM in a Brazilian racially admixtured with diabetes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. The HLA genotyping was performed by a polymerase chain reaction hybridization assay. The racial groups were categorized by self-report and phenotype. The results are expressed as means and standard deviations of the mean, proportions and frequencies. The chi2 and Fisher exact tests were used for the inferential statistics. RESULTS: The study population comprised 55 children and adolescents with T1DM. The phenotypic racial group classification demonstrated that, 60% were Mulattoes, 25.5% Whites, 12.7% Blacks and 1.8% from Indian ancestry. The T1DM's susceptibility was associated with an increased frequency of the HLA of risk (-DRB1*0401, -DRB1*0402, DQA1*03, -DQA1*05, -DQB1*02 e -DQB1*0302); and a small frequency of protective alleles (-DRB1*0404, -DRB1*0407, -DQA1*0201, -DQB1*0602, -DQB*0603 e -DQB1*0604) in all subjects. We found a greater frequency of the HLA-DRB1*0302 among Whites when compared to Blacks. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the frequency and distribution of the susceptibility and protective HLA alleles were similar to studies performed in the Brazilian Southeast and in North Americans and European Caucasians, suggesting that the genetic basis of T1DM has a common origin being little modified by racial characteristics.

Partial 5p monosomy or trisomy in 11 patients from a family with a t(5;15)(p13.3;p12) translocation.

A family with six alive patients with partial monosomy 5p and five with partial trisomy 5p due to a t(5;15)(p13.3;p12) translocation is reported. The translocation was present in four generations with eight balanced carriers. This is the first molecular-cytogenetic and clinical study with both syndromes present in the same family. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes, the breakpoint was mapped to 5p13.3, in the interval corresponding to the BAC clone RP11-1079N14, thereof resulting a 5pter-5p13.3 deletion or duplication of approximately 32 Mb. These chromosome imbalances can be considered pure, since the other imbalance produced involving chromosome 15p has no phenotypic effect. The presence of several individuals with 5p monosomy and 5p trisomy in the same family is valuable for a better delineation of both syndromes.

Total urogenital sinus mobilization for ambiguous genitalia.

INTRODUCTION: Genital ambiguity is a very common phenomenon in disorders of sex development (DSD). According to the Chicago Consensus 2006, feminizing genitoplasty, when indicated, should be performed in the most virilized cases (Prader III to V). Advances in the knowledge of genital anatomy in DSD have enabled the development and improvement of various surgical techniques. Mobilization of the urogenital sinus (MUS), first described by Peña, has become incorporated by most surgeons. However, the proximity of the urethral sphincter prompts concern over urinary incontinence, especially for full mobilization of the urogenital sinus. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the short-term surgical results of feminizing genitoplasty with total mobilization of the urogenital sinus in patients with DSD. METHODS: Review of medical records of all patients undergoing feminizing genitoplasty with mobilization of the urogenital sinus. We evaluated the rates of complications from surgery and of urinary incontinence, as well as cosmetic results, according to the opinion of the surgeon and the family. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients were included in the study. The mean age at surgery was 51months. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was diagnosed in six patients, and gonadal dysgenesis in the other two. The vagina was separated from the urethra, with suitable distance in all cases. No patient had urinary incontinence after surgery. The mean follow-up of patients was. 20months (3-56months). In all cases, surgeons recorded being satisfied with the aesthetic result of post-surgical genitalia. The family was recorded as satisfied with the aesthetic result of the genitalia after surgery. In every case, there was no need for a second surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The total mobilization of the urogenital sinus is a feasible and safe technique. The technique permits good cosmetic results, and urinary incontinence is absent. TYPE OF STUDY: Therapeutic study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.