The family reported to have X-linked Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome instead has X-linked SEDT caused by a novel TRAPPC2 frameshift variant.

The family reported to have X-linked Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome instead has X-linked SEDT caused by a novel TRAPPC2 frameshift variant.

Genomic alterations in a cohort of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients at two cancer centers in Colombia.

Few studies identifying genomic aspects in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients in Latin American countries have been reported. The aim of this study was to identify genomic alterations, clinical characteristics and outcomes in a cohort of pediatric AML patients. This descriptive observational cohort study included patients with confirmed de novo acute myeloid leukemia up to 18 years of age. Cytogenetics and conventional FISH analysis, next-generation sequencing and PCR testing were performed. The correlation of genomic data with treatment response and outcomes were analyzed. Of the 51 patients analyzed, 67.4% had a cytogenetic abnormality and 74.5% had a genetic variant. FLT3 variants (ITD or TKD D835) were found in 27.4%, followed by NRAS (21.6%), KRAS (13.7%) and WT1 and KIT (11.8%). Patients were stratified by risk (66.6% high-risk) after the end of induction. FLT3-ITD was associated with relapse (OR 11.25; CI 1.89-66.72, p 0.006) and NRAS with death during induction (OR 16.71; CI 1.51-184.59, p 0.022). Our study highlights the importance of rapid incorporation of genetic testing in pediatric AML in Colombia, as it directly affects treatment decisions and outcomes. Incorporation of targeted therapies with conventional chemotherapy is an increasingly urgent need in pediatric patients.

Pharmacogenetics of ABCB1, CDA, DCK, GSTT1, GSTM1 and outcomes in a cohort of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients from Colombia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Different studies have shown pharmacogenetic variants related to drug toxicity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Our aim was to identify the association between ABCB1, CDA, DCK, GSTT1, and GSTM1 variants with clinical outcomes and toxicity in pediatric patients with AML. METHODS: Fifty-one confirmed de novo AML pediatric patients were included. A SNaPshot™ assay and conventional PCR were used to evaluate ABCB1, CDA, DCK, GSTT1, and GSTM1 variants. Clinical outcomes and toxicity associations were evaluated using odds ratios and Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Patients carrying ABCB1 (1236C > T, rs1128503) GG genotype in had a 6.8 OR (CI 95% 1.08-42.73, p = .044) for cardiotoxicity as compared to patients carrying either AA or GA genotypes 0.14 OR (CI 95% 0.023-0.92, p = .044). For ABCB1 (1236G > A rs1128503/2677C > A/T rs2032582/3435G > A rs1045642) AA/AA/AA combined genotypes had a strong association with death after HSTC OR 13.73 (CI 95% 1.94-97.17, p = .009). Combined genotypes GG/CC/GG with CDA (79A > C, rs2072671) CA genotype or CDA (-451G > A, rs532545) CT genotype, had a 4.11 OR (CI 95% 2.32-725, p = .007) and 3.8 OR (CI 95% 2.23-6.47, p = .027) with MRD >0.1% after first chemotherapy cycle, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the importance of pharmacogenetic analysis in pediatric AML, particularly in populations with a high degree of admixture, and might be useful as a future tool for patient stratification for treatment.

Systematic molecular analysis of hemophilia A patients from Colombia.

Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive disorder and the second most common coagulation disorder with an incidence of 1 in 5,000 live born males. Worldwide, there are 178,500 affected individuals, 60% with the severe form of the disease. Intron 22 and 1 inversions (Inv22 and Inv1) are the most frequent molecular alterations found in severe HA patients with a frequency of 45-50% and 0.5-5%, respectively. We have implemented a systematic cost-effective strategy for the identification of the molecular alteration in HA patients using Inverse shifting-PCR for Inv22 and Inv1, followed by the analysis of the F8 gene coding region by means of high resolution melting (HRM) PCR and Sanger sequencing in Inv22 and Inv1 negative patients. A total of 33 male HA patients and 6 women were analyzed. Inversion 22 was detected in 14/33 male patients (42.4%), 3/33 (9.1%) had Inv1, 3/33 (9.1%) had large structural variants, and 11/33 (33.3%) single nucleotide/ small frameshift variants. No genetic variant was found in 2/33 patients (6%). With this systematic approach we detected pathogenic variants in 31 out of 33 male affected individuals (94%) tested for the first time.in a cohort of patients from Colombia.

[Frequently associated genotypes to thrombophilia]. / Genotipos frecuentemente asociados a trombofilias.

Venous thromboembolism is an important pathological entity that causes high morbidity due either to the disease or its complications. The incidence in the world ranges between 1:100 in adults and 1:100,000 in children. Risk factors for the disease include genetic as well as environmental factors. Among them, factor V Leiden (G1691A), prothrombin (G20210A) and MTHFR C677T and A1298C (which until recently were considered risk factors), have been widely studied given their impact in the world. This review presents in a clear and concise way what a thrombous is and how it is formed; how a clot is able to produce thromboembolic disease; what are the main nosological entities involved, and their main genetic causes. The most epidemiologically important genetic alterations and studies conducted in Colombia will be emphasized.

Genotipos frecuentemente asociados a trombofilias / Frequently associated genotypes to thrombophilia

La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa es una entidad patológica importante debido a la morbilidad que causa, por sus complicaciones y por su alta incidencia en el mundo, la cual puede variar desde 1:100 en adultos mayores hasta 1:100.000 en niños. Existen múltiples factores de riesgo tanto genéticos como ambientales asociados a la enfermedad; los más ampliamente estudiados por su incidencia en la población mundial son el factor V de Leiden, la mutación G20210A en el factor II (protrombina) y las mutaciones en la metilen-tetrahidrofolato reductasa C677T y A1298C, que hasta hace poco se consideraban factores de riesgo. En la presente revisión se presenta de forma concisa qué es y cómo se produce un trombo a partir de la enfermedad tromboembólica, cuáles son las principales entidades nosológicas que involucra la enfermedad y los genotipos más frecuentemente asociados a la misma. Se enfatiza en las alteraciones genéticas epidemiológicamente más importantes y se muestran brevemente los estudios realizados en Colombia.

Venous thromboembolism is an important pathological entity that causes high morbidity due either to the disease or its complications. The incidence in the world ranges between 1:100 in adults and 1:100,000 in children. Risk factors for the disease include genetic as well as environmental factors. Among them, factor V Leiden (G1691A), prothrombin (G20210A) and MTHFR C677T and A1298C (which until recently were considered risk factors), have been widely studied given their impact in the world. This review presents in a clear and concise way what a thrombous is and how it is formed; how a clot is able to produce thromboembolic disease; what are the main nosological entities involved, and their main genetic causes. The most epidemiologically important genetic alterations and studies conducted in Colombia will be emphasized.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups in 1526 unrelated individuals from 11 Departments of Colombia.

The frequencies of four mitochondrial Native American DNA haplogroups were determined in 1526 unrelated individuals from 11 Departments of Colombia and compared to the frequencies previously obtained for Amerindian and Afro-Colombian populations. Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups ranged from 74% to 97%. The lowest frequencies were found in Departments on the Caribbean coast and in the Pacific region, where the frequency of Afro-Colombians is higher, while the highest mtDNA Amerindian haplogroup frequencies were found in Departments that historically have a strong Amerindian heritage. Interestingly, all four mtDNA haplogroups were found in all Departments, in contrast to the complete absence of haplogroup D and high frequencies of haplogroup A in Amerindian populations in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Our results indicate that all four Native American mtDNA haplogroups were widely distributed in Colombia at the time of the Spanish conquest.

Geno-geographic origin of Y-specific STR haplotypes in a sample of Caucasian-Mestizo and African-descent male individuals from Colombia / Origen geno-geográfico de haplotipos STR del cromosoma Y en una muestra caucásico-mestiza y afrodescendiente de Colombia

Introduction: Y chromosome STR haplotypes have been widely used in population studies to establish the origin of diverse populations. Objective: We analyzed Y chromosome STR haplotypes (8 loci) in 134 Caucasian-mestizo and 137 African-descent Colombian unrelated individuals to correlate the geographical origin with historical data as well as the genetic relationships and possible admixture patterns. Materials and methods: One hundred samples of African descent and 137 Caucasian-mestizo samples analyzed for Y chromosome STR haplotypes by PCR followed by acrylamide electrophoresis. Results: No evidence of population substructure was found for the African descent. Two point fifty nine per cent of the haplotypes were shared between the two groups with the possible existence of Caucasian gene flow towards Afro-descendants. Conclusion: The Caucasian-Mestizo Colombian population is grouped with other populations of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, while the Afro-Colombian population is grouped with other African populations reported.

Introducción. Los haplotipos STR de cromosoma Y han sido ampliamente utilizados en estudios de poblaciones para establecer el origen de diversas poblaciones. Objetivo. Se analizaron haplotipos STR del cromosoma Y (8 loci ) en 134 afrodescendientes y caucásico-mestizos no relacionados de Colombia, para correlacionar el origen geográfico con los datos históricos, así como las relaciones genéticas y posibles patrones de mezcla. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron los haplotipos STR del cromosoma Y mediante PCR seguidas de electroforesis en acrilamida, de 134 muestras de afrodescendientes y 137 muestras de caucásicos mestizos. Resultados. No se encontró evidencia de subestructuración de la población afrodescendiente. El 2,59 % de los haplotipos eran compartidos en los dos grupos analizados, con la posible existencia de flujo génico de caucásico-mestizos hacia los afrodescendientes. Conclusión. La población caucásico-mestiza colombiana se agrupa con otras poblaciones de la península Ibérica y Europa, mientras que la población afrodescendiente colombiana se agrupa con otras poblaciones africanas reportadas.

Genetic differences between Chibcha and Non-Chibcha speaking tribes based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups from 21 Amerindian tribes from Colombia.

We analyzed the frequency of four mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in 424 individuals from 21 Colombian Amerindian tribes. Our results showed a high degree of mtDNA diversity and genetic heterogeneity. Frequencies of mtDNA haplogroups A and C were high in the majority of populations studied. The distribution of these four mtDNA haplogroups from Amerindian populations was different in the northern region of the country compared to those in the south. Haplogroup A was more frequently found among Amerindian tribes in northern Colombia, while haplogroup D was more frequent among tribes in the south. Haplogroups A, C and D have clinal tendencies in Colombia and South America in general. Populations belonging to the Chibcha linguistic family of Colombia and other countries nearby showed a strong genetic differentiation from the other populations tested, thus corroborating previous findings. Genetically, the Ingano, Paez and Guambiano populations are more closely related to other groups of south eastern Colombia, as also inferred from other genetic markers and from archeological data. Strong evidence for a correspondence between geographical and linguistic classification was found, and this is consistent with evidence that gene flow and the exchange of customs and knowledge and language elements between groups is facilitated by close proximity.

MHC Class II haplotypes of Colombian Amerindian tribes.

We analyzed 1041 individuals belonging to 17 Amerindian tribes of Colombia, Chimila, Bari and Tunebo (Chibcha linguistic family), Embera, Waunana (Choco linguistic family), Puinave and Nukak (Maku-Puinave linguistic families), Cubeo, Guanano, Tucano, Desano and Piratapuyo (Tukano linguistic family), Guahibo and Guayabero (Guayabero Linguistic Family), Curripaco and Piapoco (Arawak linguistic family) and Yucpa (Karib linguistic family). for MHC class II haplotypes (HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1). Approximately 90% of the MHC class II haplotypes found among these tribes are haplotypes frequently encountered in other Amerindian tribes. Nonetheless, striking differences were observed among Chibcha and non-Chibcha speaking tribes. The DRB1*04:04, DRB1*04:11, DRB1*09:01 carrying haplotypes were frequently found among non-Chibcha speaking tribes, while the DRB1*04:07 haplotype showed significant frequencies among Chibcha speaking tribes, and only marginal frequencies among non-Chibcha speaking tribes. Our results suggest that the differences in MHC class II haplotype frequency found among Chibcha and non-Chibcha speaking tribes could be due to genetic differentiation in Mesoamerica of the ancestral Amerindian population into Chibcha and non-Chibcha speaking populations before they entered into South America.

Geno-geographic origin of Y-specific STR haplotypes in a sample of Caucasian-Mestizo and African-descent male individuals from Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Y chromosome STR haplotypes have been widely used in population studies to establish the origin of diverse populations. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed Y chromosome STR haplotypes (8 loci) in 134 Caucasian-mestizo and 137 African-descent Colombian unrelated individuals to correlate the geographical origin with historical data as well as the genetic relationships and possible admixture patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred samples of African descent and 137 Caucasian-mestizo samples analyzed for Y chromosome STR haplotypes by PCR followed by acrylamide electrophoresis. RESULTS: No evidence of population substructure was found for the African descent. Two point fifty nine per cent of the haplotypes were shared between the two groups with the possible existence of Caucasian gene flow towards Afro-descendants. CONCLUSION: The Caucasian-Mestizo Colombian population is grouped with other populations of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, while the Afro-Colombian population is grouped with other African populations reported.

Comparison of two methods for isolating DNA from human skeletal remains for STR analysis.

The quality and efficiency of a standard organic DNA isolation method and a silica-based method using the QIAGEN Blood Maxi Kit were compared to obtain human DNA and short tandem repeats (STRs) profiles from 39 exhumed bone samples for paternity testing. DNA samples were quantified by real-time PCR, and STR profiles were obtained using the AmpFlSTR(®) Identifiler(®) PCR amplification kit. Overall, the silica-based method recovered less DNA ranging from 0 to 147.7 ng/g (average 7.57 ng/g, median = 1.3 ng/g) than did the organic method ranging from 0 to 605 ng/g (average 44.27 ng/g, median = 5.8 ng/g). Complete profiles (16/16 loci tested) were obtained from 37/39 samples (95%) using the organic method and from 9/39 samples (23%) with the silica-based method. Compared with a standard organic DNA isolation method, our results indicate that the published silica-based method does not improve neither the quality nor the quantity of DNA for STR profiling.

Absence of Lamin A/C gene mutations in four Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome patients.

The Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS, OMIM: 264090) characterizes a premature aging syndrome in which several features of aging are apparent at birth. We did not find mutations in Lamin A/C (LMNA) gene in four WRS patients, and in particular, we did not find the G608G mutation (GGC > GGT transition) which is associated with most cases with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria (OMIM 176670). These findings suggest that WRS represents a distinct progeroid entity that may be caused by recessive mutations of a different gene.

Factores genéticos, clínicos y ambientales asociados al desarrollo de demencias, movimientos anormales y depresión en población de adultos mayores / Genetic, clinical and environmental factors associated with the development of dementia, abnormal movements and depression in older adult population / Genetic, clinical factors and environmental partners to the development of demencias, abnormal movements and depression in population of major adults

Objetivo: Identificar factores de riesgo, genéticos, clínicos y ambientales, para el desarrollo de demencias, movimientos anormales y trastornos afectivos, en población adulta mayor de tres barrios de la Localidad Cuarta de Bogotá. Metodología: Estudio Piloto, analítico de tipo transversal, diseñado para la identificación clínica y de factores de riesgo en una muestra intencional con participación voluntaria de 250 individuos, realizado en dos etapas: primera, de tamización, con base en diagnóstico interdisciplinario (Medicina, Enfermería y Psicología); segunda, de confirmación diagnóstica por especialistas (Neurología y Psiquiatría). Diferentes instrumentos neuropsicológicos, pruebas de genética molecular y bioquímicas fueron realizadas a los participantes. Resultados: Se estudiaron individuos de ambos sexos con edad promedio de 68,3 años, y algunos de sus familiares. El 65,5% de la población de estudio está afectada por alguna de las entidades valoradas, con una mayor frecuencia de los trastornos afectivos (35,0%), seguida por alteración de las funciones cognitivas (23,3%). Los estudios genéticos permitieron identificar varios polimorfismos en genes que pueden estar influyendo en la aparición de estas enfermedades. Conclusiones: Estudio poblacional interdisciplinario en una de las localidades de Bogotá, D.C de estratos uno y dos para identificar trastornos cognitivos, afectivos y de movimientos anormales, con instrumentos clínicos y de biología molecular, lo que permite avanzar en la caracterización de perfiles genéticos de nuestra población y sus aplicaciones en programas de Salud Pública.

Objective:To identify genetic, clinical, and environmental risk factors for the development of dementias, abnormal movements, and affective disorders in the senior citizen population of three neighborhoods in Bogotá’s Fourth Locality.Methodology: Pilot Study, transversal analytic, designed for the identification of clinical and risk factors in an intentional sample with the voluntary participation of 250 individuals, realized in two stages: first sifting, based in interdisciplinary diagnostics (Medicine, Nursing, Psychology); second, diagnostic confirmation by specialists (Neurology and Psychiatry). Different neuropsychological instruments, molecular and biochemical genetic tests were used on the participants.Results Individuals of both sexes with an pproximate age of 68.3 years were studied, and some of their relatives. 65.5% of the study population is affected by some of the valued entities, with the greatest frequency of affective disorders (35,0%), followed by alteration of the cognitive functions (23,3%). The genetic studies identified various polymorphisms in genes that could be influencing the appearance of these illnesses.Conclusions Populational interdisciplinary study in one of the localities of Bogotá, D.C. in two stages to identify cognitive and affective disorders and abnormal movements, with clinical instruments and molecular biology, which permits an advance in the characterization of genetic profiles for our population and their application in Public Health programs.Key wordsMental health, neuropsychiatric illness, senior citizen, genetic factors, environmental factors, Public Health.

Analysis of common polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme and apolipoprotein e genes and human longevity in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Genetic analysis of human longevity may be useful for the understanding of molecular mechanisms implicated in age-related diseases. The molecular genetics of human longevity is largely unexplored in Latin American populations and other developing countries. METHODS: To explore the possibility of an association of common polymorphisms in two candidate genes and longevity in Colombia, we analyzed two polymorphisms in apolipoprotein E (APOE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes in a sample of 538 Colombian subjects (18-106 years), using previously validated PCR-based methodologies. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in ACE DD genotype (24 vs. 16%) between young and old subject groups (mean age: 45 vs. 77 years) (p = 0.03). The ACE DD genotype and D allele decrease was significant only in women. There were no differences for APOE polymorphism between young and old subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are compatible with the expected age-related decrease of ACE DD genotype. Future studies examining functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ACE gene and its correlation with serum ACE activity in the older subjects and their younger relatives in this sample are warranted.

Analysis of functional polymorphisms in three synaptic plasticity-related genes (BDNF, COMT AND UCHL1) in Alzheimer's disease in Colombia.

In recent years, it has been proposed that synaptic dysfunction may be an important etiological factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This hypothesis has important implications for the analysis of AD genetic risk in case-control studies. In the present work, we analyzed common functional polymorphisms in three synaptic plasticity-related genes (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF Val66Met; catechol-O-methyl transferase, COMT Val158; ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydroxylase, UCHL1 S18Y) in a sample of 102 AD cases and 168 age and sex matched controls living in Bogotá, Colombia. There was not association between UCHL1 polymorphism and AD in our sample. We have found an initial association with BDNF polymorphism in familial cases and with COMT polymorphism in male and sporadic patients. These initial associations were lost after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Unadjusted results may be compatible with the expected functional effect of variations in these genes on pathological memory and cognitive dysfunction, as has been implicated in animal and cell models and also from neuropsychological analysis of normal subjects carriers of the AD associated genotypes. An exploration of functional variants in these and in other synaptic plasticity-related genes (a synaptogenomics approach) in independent larger samples will be important to discover new genes associated with AD.

Results of the 2003-2004 GEP-ISFG collaborative study on mitochondrial DNA: focus on the mtDNA profile of a mixed semen-saliva stain.

We report here a review of the seventh mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exercise undertaken by the Spanish and Portuguese working group (GEP) of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) corresponding to the period 2003-2004. Five reference bloodstains from five donors (M1-M5), a mixed stain of saliva and semen (M6), and a hair sample (M7) were submitted to each participating laboratory for nuclear DNA (nDNA; autosomal STR and Y-STR) and mtDNA analysis. Laboratories were asked to investigate the contributors of samples M6 and M7 among the reference donors (M1-M5). A total of 34 laboratories reported total or partial mtDNA sequence data from both, the reference bloodstains (M1-M5) and the hair sample (M7) concluding a match between mtDNA profiles of M5 and M7. Autosomal STR and Y-STR profiling was the preferred strategy to investigate the contributors of the semen/saliva mixture (M6). Nuclear DNA profiles were consistent with a mixture of saliva from the donor (female) of M4 and semen from donor M5, being the semen (XY) profile the dominant component of the mixture. Strikingly, and in contradiction to the nuclear DNA analysis, mtDNA sequencing results yield a more simple result: only the saliva contribution (M4) was detected, either after preferential lysis or after complete DNA digestion. Some labs provided with several explanations for this finding and carried out additional experiments to explain this apparent contradictory result. The results pointed to the existence of different relative amounts of nuclear and mtDNAs in saliva and semen. We conclude that this circumstance could strongly influence the interpretation of the mtDNA evidence in unbalanced mixtures and in consequence lead to false exclusions. During the GEP-ISFG annual conference a validation study was planned to progress in the interpretation of mtDNA from different mixtures.