Carbamazepine responsive episodic dystonia and hallucination due to pyruvate dehydrogenase E2 (DLAT) gene mutation.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (PDH) E2 deficiency due to Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (DLAT) mutations is a very rare condition with only nine reported cases to date. We describe a 15-year-old girl with mild intellectual disability, paroxysmal dystonia and bilateral basal ganglia signal abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, neurophysiological, imaging, metabolic and exome sequencing studies were performed. Routine metabolite testing, and GLUT1 and PRRT2 mutation analysis were negative. A repeat brain MRI revealed 'Eye-of-the-tiger-sign'. Exome sequencing identified homozygous valine to glycine alteration at amino acid position 157 in the DLAT gene. Bioinformatic and family analyses indicated that the alteration was likely pathogenic. Patient's dystonia was responsive to low-dose carbamazepine. On weaning carbamazepine, patient developed hallucinations which resolved after carbamazepine was restarted. PDH E2 deficiency due to DLAT mutation has a more benign course compared to common forms of PDH E1 deficiency due to X-linked PDHA1 mutations. All known cases of PDH E2 deficiency due to DLAT mutations share the features of episodic dystonia and intellectual disability. Our patient's dystonia and hallucinations responded well to low-dose carbamazepine.

O-GlcNAc transferase missense mutations linked to X-linked intellectual disability deregulate genes involved in cell fate determination and signaling.

It is estimated that ∼1% of the world's population has intellectual disability, with males affected more often than females. OGT is an X-linked gene encoding for the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which carries out the reversible addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to Ser/Thr residues of its intracellular substrates. Three missense mutations in the tetratricopeptide (TPR) repeats of OGT have recently been reported to cause X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). Here, we report the discovery of two additional novel missense mutations (c.775 G>A, p.A259T, and c.1016 A>G, p.E339G) in the TPR domain of OGT that segregate with XLID in affected families. Characterization of all five of these XLID missense variants of OGT demonstrates modest declines in thermodynamic stability and/or activities of the variants. We engineered each of the mutations into a male human embryonic stem cell line using CRISPR/Cas9. Investigation of the global O-GlcNAc profile as well as OGT and O-GlcNAc hydrolase levels by Western blotting showed no gross changes in steady-state levels in the engineered lines. However, analyses of the differential transcriptomes of the OGT variant-expressing stem cells revealed shared deregulation of genes involved in cell fate determination and liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling, which has been implicated in neuronal development. Thus, here we reveal two additional mutations encoding residues in the TPR regions of OGT that appear causal for XLID and provide evidence that the relatively stable and active TPR variants may share a common, unelucidated mechanism of altering gene expression profiles in human embryonic stem cells.

Chronic Gastritis and its Association with H. Pylori Infection.

This cross sectional study was designed to see association of chronic gastritis including its type with H. pylori infection. Consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic examination having histopathological evidence of chronic gastritis were enrolled in the study and was done in Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College from July 2011 to June 2012. Biopsies were taken from antrum, body and fundus in all patients. Histopathological examinations were done using H-E stain and for detection of H. pylori, rapid urease test, anti-H.pylori antibody test and histopathological test with modified Giemsa stain were done. Patients having results positive in at least two methods were considered infected by H. pylori. Total 80 dyspeptic patients having chronic gastritis were evaluated. Out of them 67(83.8%) had H. pylori infection and 13(16.2%) were H. pylori negative. Among all patients 57(71.2%) had pangastritis and 23(28.8%) had antral gastritis with female and male predominance respectively. H. pylori infection was present in 49(86.0%) cases of pangastritis and 18(78.3%) cases of antral gastritis. H. pylori infection was a little higher among males (34, 50.7%) females (33, 49.3%). H. pylori infection is the predominant cause of chronic gastritis and pangastritis is the major type.

A study of the emotional effects of tooth loss in an edentulous Gujarati population and its association with depression.

CONTEXT: To fully estimate the burden of illness due to edentulism and establish valid treatment outcomes measures in this regard, it is equally important to study its psychosocial repercussions. AIMS: The aim was to conduct a study to explore the emotional reactions to tooth loss, screen for current depressive symptoms and test for association between the two; among an edentulous Gujarati population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 147 edentulous people visiting the Prosthodontics Department were surveyed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire (based on previous studies) to test the emotional reactions to tooth loss and Nine Item-Patient Health Questionnaire to test for depression were used. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analyzed using the Chi-square (χ (2)) test with the help of SPSS v. 18.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Totally, 100 out of 147 edentulous people returned the questionnaire of which 58% experienced difficulties in accepting tooth loss and 37% felt unprepared for its effects. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss had a greater effect on self esteem and social life, had more reservation about discussing tooth loss and was more likely to experience depression. Both groups were satisfied with dentures, had no problem meeting their friends or partners without dentures and leaving out dentures at night. CONCLUSION: About 58% of edentulous people had difficulties accepting tooth loss, which was unrelated to denture satisfaction. Respondents appeared to be restricted in social activities mainly due to functional limitations. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss were more likely to experience depression.

An Unusual Presentation of Heat Rash: Bullous Miliaria in a Middle-Aged Woman.

Miliaria is a self-limiting cutaneous disease that may develop from skin exposure to humid climates, occlusion, or raised temperatures, forming groups of 1-3-mm-sized sweat-filled vesicles in the epidermis due to obstruction of the eccrine sweat duct. Here, we describe the first case of extensive bullous miliaria reported in a 47-year-old female with no comorbidities or significant medical history.

ZFAT gene variant association with multiple sclerosis in the Arabian Gulf population: A genetic basis for gender-associated susceptibility.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are useful genetic markers to investigate the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). A genome wide association study identified 7 SNPs associated with interferon­ß therapy response, however, not with MS risk in a Spanish population. To investigate these findings in a different cohort, the 7 SNPs were investigated in an Arabian Gulf population. The SNPs were analyzed in 268 subjects (156 patients and 112 healthy volunteers) from the Arabian Gulf region using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and KBioscience Competitive Allele Specific PCR genotyping methods. Associations between the SNPs and MS were investigated using logistic regression. The present study observed, for the first time, that in an Arabian Gulf population, the ZFAT rs733254 polymorphism (T>G) is a gender­specific risk marker for MS. ZFAT was associated with MS in women but not in men. The G variant was highly associated with the risk of MS [odds ratio (OR)=2.38 and 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45­3.91); P=0.0014]. Whereas variant T was a significantly protective factor [OR=0.420 (95% CI, 0.25­0.69); P=0.0014, recessive model]. The findings of the present study provide a genetic basis for the gender­associated susceptibility to MS. In addition, this MS-associated rs733254 SNP may predict MS onset in females from the Arabian Gulf population.

Homozygous Mutation in Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Gene Results in Intractable Epilepsy, Involuntary Movements, Microcephaly, and Developmental and Growth Retardation.

BACKGROUND: Synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2a) is the binding site of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam and the only known synaptic vesicle target of an epilepsy medication. To date, no pathogenic mutation in SV2A, which is the gene encoding synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A, has been identified in humans. We report a homozygous mutation in the SV2A gene in a patient with intractable epilepsy. METHODS: We investigated a patient with intractable epilepsy, involuntary movements, microcephaly, and developmental and growth retardation. Both parents were multiply consanguineous and an earlier-born brother of the proband had a similar course and died at 7 months of age. Detailed clinical history, imaging, electroencephalograph and metabolic testing were obtained. Full exome sequencing was performed using genomic DNA isolated from the patient and both parents. RESULTS: Exome sequencing identified a homozygous arginine to glutamine mutation in amino acid position 383 (R383Q) in exon 5 of the SV2A gene. Both parents were carriers for the R383Q variant, suggesting that R383Q is a recessive mutation. There were no other candidate alterations in the exome that could explain the phenotype in the proband. The amino acid arginine at position 383 of SV2a gene is evolutionally conserved throughout vertebrates. R383Q change is not observed in known healthy cohorts, exome databases, or the Database of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms. The R383Q mutation is located in the second adenine binding domain in SV2a protein and may alter adenine nucleotides binding to SV2a. CONCLUSION: Our report provides the elusive evidence that an SV2A mutation can be a cause of epilepsy in humans. Levetiracetam, which binds to SV2A, was not effective as an antiepileptic medication. The location of the mutation in our patient supports an important role of adenine nucleotides binding in SV2A function.

Advances in Tourette syndrome: diagnoses and treatment.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal or phonic tic, and often one or more comorbid psychiatric disorders. Premonitory sensory urges before tic execution and desire for "just-right" perception are central features. The pathophysiology involves cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits and possibly dopaminergic system. TS is considered a genetic disorder but the genetics is complex and likely involves rare mutations, common variants, and environmental and epigenetic factors. Treatment is multimodal and includes education and reassurance, behavioral interventions, pharmacologic, and rarely, surgical interventions.

Polymorphisms in xenobiotic metabolism genes and autism.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental syndrome defined by deficits in social reciprocity and communication and by unusual repetitive behaviors. Although there is an underlying genetic predisposition, the etiology of autism is currently unknown. A recent increase in prevalence suggests that genetically determined vulnerability to environmental exposure might contribute to the causation of autism. We performed family-based association studies of polymorphisms in metal-regulatory transcription factor 1(MTF1), a multispecific organic anion transporter (ABCC1), proton-coupled divalent metal ion transporters (SLC11A3 and SLC11A2), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1) genes in 196 autistic disorder families. There was deviation from the expected pattern of transmission for polymorphisms in MTF1 (Single nucleotide polymorphism database reference identification number, dbSNP rs3790625, P = .02) and divalent metal ion transporter SLC11A3 (dbSNP rs2304704, P = .07) genes. Although these results might represent chance finding, further investigations of genetic variations of metal metabolism in autism are warranted.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy and cerebral vasoconstriction in a patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We report a patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome who presented with radiological manifestations suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. PATIENT: A 13-year-old girl presented with fever and bloody diarrhea and progressed to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome. She subsequently developed encephalopathy, aphasia, and right-sided weakness. RESULTS: Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed presence of vasogenic edema in the left frontal lobe, in addition to T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery changes in white matter bilaterally, compatible with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Magnetic resonance angiography showed beading of the cerebral vessels. Neurological deficits reversed 8 days after symptom onset, with resolution of the beading pattern on follow-up magnetic resonance angiography after 3 weeks, suggesting reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Both posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may represent manifestations of similar underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. Recognition of the co-existence of these processes in patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome may aid in judicious management of these patients and avoidance of inappropriate therapeutic interventions.

Association of Y chromosome haplotypes with autism.

There is significant male excess in autism. In this study, we investigated a possible Y chromosome effect by haplotype analysis. We investigated 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Y-linked neuroligin 4, transducin beta-like 1, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1a genes in 146 autistic participants and 102 control participants of European American origin. The set of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms defined 9 Y chromosome haplotypes in autistic and control participants. Although the 2 most frequent haplotypes were equally distributed in the autistic and control participants, some haplotypes were overrepresented or underrepresented in autistic participants. The distribution of haplotypes between the autistic and control groups, as determined by Monte Carlo tests with Clump software, was significantly different (P = .0001 with 100,000 simulations). Our results are suggestive of a Y chromosome effect in autism.

Homozygous myotonic dystrophy with craniosynostosis.

Myotonic dystrophy is considered a true dominant condition with no difference in the phenotype between heterozygous and homozygous cases. The homozygous state is very rare and only a few patients have been reported in the literature. We report a 2.5-year-old boy from a nonconsanguineous marriage, with a unique combination of clinical and radiological findings: hypotonia, motor and language developmental delay, ventriculomegaly, subcortical white matter lesions, and craniosynostosis. Mutation analysis revealed 2 copies of expansion mutation of 1260 and 60 cytosine-thymine-guanine repeats in the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene. Both the mildly symptomatic (434 repeats) mother and the asymptomatic (37 repeats) father are heterozygous. Craniosynostosis has not been reported previously in myotonic dystrophy. This homozygous case expands the clinical spectrum of myotonic dystrophy type 1 and provides support to the hypothesis that myotonic dystrophy type 1 pathophysiology could be, in part, due to the loss of normal function of the wild-type protein.

Association of Reelin gene polymorphisms with autism.

Genome scans indicate a linkage of autism to the chromosome 7q21-q36 region. Recent studies suggest that the Reelin gene may be one of the loci contributing to the positive linkage between chromosome 7q and autism. However, these studies were relatively small scale, using a few markers in the gene. We investigated 34 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Reelin gene with an average spacing between the SNPs of 15 kb for evidence of association with autism. There were significant differences in the transmission of the alleles of exon 22 and intron 59 SNP to autistic subjects. Our findings support a role for the Reelin gene in the susceptibility to autism.

No association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in DLX6 and Piccolo genes at 7q21-q22 and autism.

Several independent genome scans have revealed excess allele sharing in an overlapping 40 cM region of 7q21-34 in autism. DLX6 and Piccolo (PCLO) at 7q21-q22 are two positional and functional candidate genes in autism. We have investigated a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 4 of the PCLO gene and a SNP in intron 1 of the DLX6 gene for linkage and association in autistic disorder using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. One hundred ninety-six multiplex autistic disorder families were tested using transmission disequilibrium and two-point affected sib pair linkage analysis. We found no evidence of association or linkage with the two intragenic markers. In addition, there was also no linkage or association between language and stereotypic behavior quantitative traits in autism and the SNPs. In conclusion, our studies suggest that these two SNPs in DLX6 and PCLO genes are not in linkage disequilibrium with autism.

Association of tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase gene polymorphism with autism.

Although elevation of blood and platelet serotonin has been documented in autism, genetic analyses of serotonin transporter gene have given conflicting results. Tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase (TDO2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin. A mutation that results in decreased activity of the TDO2 can decrease catabolism of tryptophan and increase the level of whole body serotonin. As such it is a potential candidate gene for autism. We have investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms in the TDO2 gene for association with autistic disorder. One hundred and ninety six multiplex autistic disorder families were tested using transmission disequilibrium test. There was a significant difference in the transmission of a promoter variant to autistic subjects (P = 0.0006). Haplotype analysis also demonstrated significant difference in the transmission of TDO2 haplotypes to autistic subjects (P = 0.0027). Our results suggest the presence of a susceptibility mutation in the TDO2 or a nearby gene, but may also represent a chance finding.