Combinatorial effects on gene expression at the Lbx1/Fgf8 locus resolve split-hand/foot malformation type 3.

Split-Hand/Foot Malformation type 3 (SHFM3) is a congenital limb malformation associated with tandem duplications at the LBX1/FGF8 locus. Yet, the disease patho-mechanism remains unsolved. Here we investigate the functional consequences of SHFM3-associated rearrangements on chromatin conformation and gene expression in vivo in transgenic mice. We show that the Lbx1/Fgf8 locus consists of two separate, but interacting, regulatory domains. Re-engineering of a SHFM3-associated duplication and a newly reported inversion in mice results in restructuring of the chromatin architecture. This leads to ectopic activation of the Lbx1 and Btrc genes in the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) in an Fgf8-like pattern induced by AER-specific enhancers of Fgf8. We provide evidence that the SHFM3 phenotype is the result of a combinatorial effect on gene misexpression in the developing limb. Our results reveal insights into the molecular mechanism underlying SHFM3 and provide conceptual framework for how genomic rearrangements can cause gene misexpression and disease.

Impact of Different Measures of Body Size on the Radiation Dose During Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results from a Large Single Center Cohort.

Efforts to reduce and optimize the radiation exposure during coronary angiography and intervention have pointed at patients' body size as a major determinant of irradiation for the patients and operators. We aimed at comparing body weight and body mass index (BMI) among consecutive patients undergoing angiographic procedures (coronary angiography and/or interventions) in a single center. Patients were divided in normal weight (NW, BMI <25 Kg/m2) and overweight (OW, BMI ≥25 Kg/m2). Patients' dose exposure was evaluated as dose area product (DAP), time of exposure (fluoroscopy duration), and relative DAP (DAP/minutes of exposure). We included 748 patients, 61.6% undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions and 56.8% classified as OW. OW patients were more often men (P < .001), with history of hypertension (P < .001) and diabetes (P = .001). Mean DAP and relative DAP were significantly higher among OW compared with NW patients (P < .001). DAP and relative DAP were directly related with body weight (both r = .22, P < .001); a similar linear association was also described for BMI (r = .18, P < .001 and r = .19, P < .001, respectively). At multivariate analysis, however, body weight, but not BMI, independently predicted the DAP. Therefore, body weight should be considered as the preferred indicator of body size in the setting and optimization of radiation exposure during coronary diagnostic and intervention procedures.

A Golden Ten: A Decade of Open Access Society Publishing.

Shining On! Happy first 10 years, ChemistryOpen! From little more than a new trend in chemistry publishing, the Open Access model has grown into a major theme in publishing in the last decade. The idea of Open Science has become instrumental for the collaboration among scientists, not only during the pandemic, and ChemistryOpen is ready to start its next decade in a much more open world!

Electroclinical features of MEF2C haploinsufficiency-related epilepsy: A multicenter European study.

PURPOSE: Epilepsy is a main manifestation in the autosomal dominant mental retardation syndrome caused by heterozygous variants in MEF2C. We aimed to delineate the electro-clinical features and refine the genotype-phenotype correlations in patients with MEF2C haploinsufficiency. METHODS: We thoroughly investigated 25 patients with genetically confirmed MEF2C-syndrome across 12 different European Genetics and Epilepsy Centers, focusing on the epileptic phenotype. Clinical features (seizure types, onset, evolution, and response to therapy), EEG recordings during waking/sleep, and neuroimaging findings were analyzed. We also performed a detailed literature review using the terms "MEF2C", "seizures", and "epilepsy". RESULTS: Epilepsy was diagnosed in 19 out of 25 (~80%) subjects, with age at onset <30 months. Ten individuals (40%) presented with febrile seizures and myoclonic seizures occurred in ~50% of patients. Epileptiform abnormalities were observed in 20/25 patients (80%) and hypoplasia/partial agenesis of the corpus callosum was detected in 12/25 patients (~50%). Nine patients harbored a 5q14.3 deletion encompassing MEF2C and at least one other gene. In 7 out of 10 patients with myoclonic seizures, MIR9-2 and LINC00461 were also deleted, whereas ADGRV1 was involved in 3/4 patients with spasms. CONCLUSION: The epileptic phenotype of MEF2C-syndrome is variable. Febrile and myoclonic seizures are the most frequent, usually associated with a slowing of the background activity and irregular diffuse discharges of frontally dominant, symmetric or asymmetric, slow theta waves with interposed spike-and-waves complexes. The haploinsufficiency of ADGRV1, MIR9-2, and LINC00461 likely contributes to myoclonic seizures and spasms in patients with MEF2C syndrome.

Detailed Clinical and Psychological Phenotype of the X-linked HNRNPH2-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To expand the clinical phenotype of the X-linked HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder in 33 individuals. METHODS: Participants were diagnosed with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in HNRNPH2 using American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association of Molecular Pathology criteria, largely identified via clinical exome sequencing. Genetic reports were reviewed. Clinical data were collected by retrospective chart review and caregiver report including standardized parent report measures. RESULTS: We expand our clinical characterization of HNRNPH2-related disorders to include 33 individuals, aged 2-38 years, both females and males, with 11 different de novo missense variants, most within the nuclear localization signal. The major features of the phenotype include developmental delay/intellectual disability, severe language impairment, motor problems, growth, and musculoskeletal disturbances. Minor features include dysmorphic features, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, and cortical visual impairment. Although rare, we report early stroke and premature death with this condition. CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of X-linked HNRNPH2-related disorders continues to expand as the allelic spectrum and identification of affected males increases.

10 Years of Open Access Society Publishing.

That was ten, this is now! The Editor-in-Chief of ChemistryOpen Francesca Novara discusses what 2020 meant for the development of open science and ChemistryOpen and what is the landscape in which ChemistryOpen will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The FAST-STEMI Network in Biella From 2013 to 2019: Impact of the Delocalization of the Hospital Facilities on Ischemia Time and In-hospital Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The optimization of the strategies for myocardial revascularization has improved the outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In Piedmont, the FAST-STEMI regional network was created for improving the management and transportation of ST-segment elevation (STEMI) patients to primary percutaneous coronary intervention facilities, reducing the time to reperfusion. Within this network, the Hospital of Biella was delocalized in December 2014 to a new suburban structure designed for an easier access, which might have shortened the duration of patients' transportation and ischemia, with potential positive prognostic effects. The aim of the present study was to define the impact of the decentralization of the hospital structure on the time to reperfusion and in-hospital outcomes among STEMI patients admitted to the Hospital of Biella. METHODS: We included STEMI patients admitted to our urban hospital between 2013 and 2019 and included in the FAST-STEMI database. The primary endpoint was the duration of ischemia, defined as pain to balloon (PTB). The primary outcome endpoint (PE) was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: We included 276 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 2016 and 2019 in the new hospital facility, which were compared with 170 patients treated between 2013 and June 2014 in the prior structure. Patients' characteristics included a mean age of 67.5 ± 12.5 years, 72.1% males and 18.7% patients with diabetes. In the new facility, the median PTB was 188 minutes [interquartile range: 125-340 min], reduced as compared with the period 2013-2014 [215 (128.5-352 min), P = 0.002]. The median in-hospital stay was also shorter (P = 0.004), whereas a nonsignificant improvement was noted for ejection fraction (EF) at discharge (P = 0.14). A linear relationship was demonstrated between PTB and the EF (r = -0.183, P = 0.003) in patients treated between 2016 and 2019 while not affecting the length of hospitalization or in-hospital outcomes. In fact, in-hospital death occurred in 36 patients, 8% in the new structure versus 7.7% in 2013-2014 [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 1.20 (0.59-2.42), P = 0.62]. The independent predictors of mortality were patients' age and EF at discharge (age ≥ 75 y: adjusted HR [95% CI] = 6.75 [1.51-30.1], P = 0.01; EF: adjusted HR [95% CI] = 0.91 [0.88-0.95], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that, among the STEMI patients treated in our center, the delocalization of the hospital facilities and the optimization of the FAST-STEMI network reduced the duration of ischemia, with positive effects on left ventricular function at discharge. However, this did not translate into a significant benefit in survival, which was instead conditioned by the aging of the population.

A Big Year for Open Access Chemistry Publishing.

Starting 2020 with an open mind! The new Editor-in-Chief of ChemistryOpen Francesca Novara looks back on her first year with the journal and discusses the increasingly strong position of ChemistryOpen in a developing open access world.

The Search for Molecular Markers in a Gene-Orphan Case Study of a Pediatric Spinal Cord Pilocytic Astrocytoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We herein presented a case of pediatric spinal cord pilocytic astrocytoma diagnosed on the basis of histopathological and clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Given the paucity of data on genetic features for this tumor, we performed exome, array CGH and RNA sequencing analysis from nucleic acids isolated from a unique and not repeatable very small amount of a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimen. RESULTS: DNA mutation analysis, comparing tumor and normal lymphocyte peripheral DNA, evidenced few tumor-specific single nucleotide variants in DEFB119, MUC5B, NUDT1, LTBP3 and CPSF3L genes. Differently, tumor DNA was not characterized by for the main pilocytic astrocytoma gene variations, including BRAFV600E. An inframe trinucleotides insertion involving DLX6 or lnc DLX6-AS1 genes was scored in 44.9% of sequenced reads; the temporal profile of this variation on the expression of DLX-AS1 was investigated in patient's urine-derived exosomes, reporting no significant variation in the one-year molecular follow-up. Array CGH identified a tumor microdeletion at the 6q25.3 chromosomal region, spanning 1,01 Mb and comprising ZDHHC14, SNX9, TULP4 and SYTL3 genes. The expression of these genes did not change in urine-derived exosomes during the one-year investigation period. Finally, RNAseq did not reveal any of the common pilocytic BRAF-KIAA1549 genes fusion events. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, the present report is one of the first described gene-orphan case studies of a pediatric spinal cord pilocytic astrocytoma.

Missense variants in the Arg206 residue of HNRNPH2: Further evidence of causality and expansion of the phenotype.

Missense variants in HNRNPH2 cause Bain type syndromic X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). To date, only six affected females and three affected males have been reported in the literature, and the phenotype has yet to be delineated in detail. Here, we report on a 35-year-old female with a novel de novo variant in HNRNPH2, providing further evidence that missense changes in the nuclear localization sequence cause Bain type XLID and that aminoacid 206 likely represents a mutational hotspot. We expand the phenotype of Bain type XLID to include breathing, sleep and movement disorders, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, stereotypies, and hypersensitivity to noise. Our data indicate that the phenotype may be broader and more variable than initially reported, and suggest Rett syndrome as a possible differential diagnosis.

De novo unbalanced translocations have a complex history/aetiology.

We investigated 52 cases of de novo unbalanced translocations, consisting in a terminally deleted or inverted-duplicated deleted (inv-dup del) 46th chromosome to which the distal portion of another chromosome or its opposite end was transposed. Array CGH, whole-genome sequencing, qPCR, FISH, and trio genotyping were applied. A biparental origin of the deletion and duplication was detected in 6 cases, whereas in 46, both imbalances have the same parental origin. Moreover, the duplicated region was of maternal origin in more than half of the cases, with 25% of them showing two maternal and one paternal haplotype. In all these cases, maternal age was increased. These findings indicate that the primary driver for the occurrence of the de novo unbalanced translocations is a maternal meiotic non-disjunction, followed by partial trisomy rescue of the supernumerary chromosome present in the trisomic zygote. In contrast, asymmetric breakage of a dicentric chromosome, originated either at the meiosis or postzygotically, in which the two resulting chromosomes, one being deleted and the other one inv-dup del, are repaired by telomere capture, appears at the basis of all inv-dup del translocations. Notably, this mechanism also fits with the origin of some simple translocations in which the duplicated region was of paternal origin. In all cases, the signature at the translocation junctions was that of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) rather than non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR). Our data imply that there is no risk of recurrence in the following pregnancies for any of the de novo unbalanced translocations we discuss here.

The Nobel Legacy: A Journey through Chemistry Inspired by the Achievements of Nobel Laureates.

The Prize is right! Chemistry-A European Journal will start an exciting journey exploring the significance of Nobel Prize awards in Chemistry in the corresponding contemporary chemistry fields. In this new journal feature called "The Nobel Legacy", a recurring series of invited Review-type articles each one connected to a particular Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be published.

Three Reportedly Unrelated Families With Liddle Syndrome Inherited From a Common Ancestor.

Liddle syndrome is considered a rare Mendelian hypertension. We have previously described 3 reportedly unrelated families, native of an Italian area around the Strait of Messina, carrying the same mutation (ßP617L) of the epithelial sodium channel. The aims of our study were (1) to evaluate whether a close genomic relationship exists between the 3 families through the analysis of mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome; and (2) to quantify the genomic relatedness between the patients with Liddle syndrome belonging to the 3 families and assess the hypothesis of a mutation shared through identity by descent. HVRI (the hypervariable region I) of the mitochondrial DNA genome and the Y chromosome short tandem repeats profiles were analyzed in individuals of the 3 families. Genotyping 542 585 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms was performed in all the patients with Liddle syndrome of the 3 families and some of their relatives. A panel of 780 healthy Italian adult samples typed for the same set of markers was used as controls. espite different lineages between the 3 families based on the analysis of mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome, the 3 probands and their 6 affected relatives share the same ≈5 Mbp long haplotype which encompasses the mutant allele. Using an approach based on coalescent theory, we estimate that the 3 families inherited the mutant allele from a common ancestor ≈13 generations ago and that such an ancestor may have left ≈20 carriers alive today. The prevalence of Liddle syndrome in the region of origin of the 3 families may be much higher than that estimated worldwide.

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations.

Birth defects that involve the cerebral cortex - also known as malformations of cortical development (MCD) - are important causes of intellectual disability and account for 20-40% of drug-resistant epilepsy in childhood. High-resolution brain imaging has facilitated in vivo identification of a large group of MCD phenotypes. Despite the advances in brain imaging, genomic analysis and generation of animal models, a straightforward workflow to systematically prioritize candidate genes and to test functional effects of putative mutations is missing. To overcome this problem, an experimental strategy enabling the identification of novel causative genes for MCD was developed and validated. This strategy is based on identifying candidate genomic regions or genes via array-CGH or whole-exome sequencing and characterizing the effects of their inactivation or of overexpression of specific mutations in developing rodent brains via in utero electroporation. This approach led to the identification of the C6orf70 gene, encoding for a putative vesicular protein, to the pathogenesis of periventricular nodular heterotopia, a MCD caused by defective neuronal migration.

Guideline recommendations for diagnosis and clinical management of Ring14 syndrome-first report of an ad hoc task force.

BACKGROUND: Ring chromosome 14 syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder characterized by early onset refractory epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and a number of diverse health issues. RESULTS: The aim of this work is to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of persons affected by ring chromosome 14 syndrome based on evidence from literature and experience of health professionals from different medical backgrounds who have followed for several years subjects affected by ring chromosome 14 syndrome. The literature search was performed in 2016. Original papers, meta-analyses, reviews, books and guidelines were reviewed and final recommendations were reached by consensus. CONCLUSION: Conventional cytogenetics is the primary tool to identify a ring chromosome. Children with a terminal deletion of chromosome 14q ascertained by molecular karyotyping (CGH/SNP array) should be tested secondarily by conventional cytogenetics for the presence of a ring chromosome. Early diagnosis should be pursued in order to provide medical and social assistance by a multidisciplinary team. Clinical investigations, including neurophysiology for epilepsy, should be performed at the diagnosis and within the follow-up. Following the diagnosis, patients and relatives/caregivers should receive regular care for health and social issues. Epilepsy should be treated from the onset with anticonvulsive therapy. Likewise, feeding difficulties should be treated according to need. Nutritional assessment is recommended for all patients and nutritional support for malnourishment can include gastrostomy feeding in selected cases. Presence of autistic traits should be carefully evaluated. Many patients with ring chromosome 14 syndrome are nonverbal and thus maintaining their ability to communicate is always essential; every effort should be made to preserve their autonomy.

Haploinsufficiency for ANKRD11-flanking genes makes the difference between KBG and 16q24.3 microdeletion syndromes: 12 new cases.

16q24 deletion involving the ANKRD11 gene, ranging from 137 kb to 2 Mb, have been associated with a microdeletion syndrome characterized by variable cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder, facial dysmorphisms with dental anomalies, brain abnormalities essentially affecting the corpus callosum and short stature. On the other hand, patients carrying either deletions encompassing solely ANKRD11 or its loss-of-function variants were reported in association with the KBG syndrome, characterized by a very similar phenotype, including mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, short stature and macrodontia of upper incisors, with inter and intrafamilial variability. To assess whether the haploinsufficiency of ANKRD11-flanking genes, such as ZFPM1, CDH15 and ZNF778, contributed to either the severity of the neurological impairment or was associated with other clinical features, we collected 12 new cases with a 16q24.2q24.3 deletion (de novo in 11 cases), ranging from 343 kb to 2.3 Mb. In 11 of them, the deletion involved the ANKRD11 gene, whereas in 1 case only flanking genes upstream to it were deleted. By comparing the clinical and genetic features of our patients with those previously reported, we show that the severity of the neurological phenotype and the frequency of congenital heart defects characterize the deletions that, besides ANKRD11, contain ZFPM1, CDH15 and ZNF778 as well. Moreover, the presence of thrombocytopenia and astigmatism should be taken into account to distinguish between 16q24 microdeletion syndrome and KBG syndrome. The single patient not deleted for ANKRD11, whose phenotype is characterized by milder psychomotor delay, cardiac congenital malformation, thrombocytopenia and astigmatism, confirms all this data.

Developmental trends of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberrations.

Children with chromosome 14 aberrations usually show developmental delays, intellectual disability, neurological disorders and behaviour problems. The aim of the present study is to describe the developmental trajectories of the communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations, considering the possible relationships between the patterns of language development and the children's clinical characteristics (e.g., intellectual disability or autistic traits). Longitudinal data on five children (four with linear deletions and one with ring 14 syndrome) followed for 3 years are presented. Four out of five children showed profound intellectual disability, and three out of five showed autistic traits. A high individual variability was found in both vocal and gestural productions. However, only a modest increase in the children's communicative and symbolic skills was detected over time (e.g., in the quality of preverbal productions). CONCLUSION: The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberration is very slow. We need to consider the children's characteristics, in terms of type of chromosome aberration, level of intellectual disability and presence/absence of autistic traits, to predict their possible linguistic outcomes and to give a more realistic expectation to their parents. What is known: • The communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations are usually impaired. • The presence of autistic traits is frequent in these children. What is new: • The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberrations is very slow. • The level of intellectual disability and the presence/absence of autistic traits appeared to have a role in predicting the possible linguistic outcomes in children with chromosome 14 aberrations.

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of SLC16A2 (MCT8) Mutations in Three Families with the Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome.

Mutations in the thyroid hormone transporter SLC16A2 (MCT8) cause the Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome (AHDS), characterized by severe psychomotor retardation and peripheral thyrotoxicosis. Here, we report three newly identified AHDS patients. Previously documented mutations were identified in probands 1 (p.R271H) and 2 (p.G564R), resulting in a severe clinical phenotype. A novel mutation (p.G564E) was identified in proband 3, affecting the same Gly564 residue, but resulting in a relatively mild clinical phenotype. Functional analysis in transiently transfected COS-1 and JEG-3 cells showed a near-complete inactivation of TH transport for p.G564R, whereas considerable cell-type-dependent residual transport activity was observed for p.G564E. Both mutants showed a strong decrease in protein expression levels, but differentially affected Vmax and Km values of T3 transport. Our findings illustrate that different mutations affecting the same residue may have a differential impact on SLC16A2 transporter function, which translates into differences in severity of the clinical phenotype.

Dissection of partial 21q monosomy in different phenotypes: clinical and molecular characterization of five cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Partial deletion of chromosome 21q is a very rare chromosomal abnormality associated with highly variable phenotypes, such as facial dysmorphic features, heart defects, seizures, psychomotor delay, and severe to mild intellectual disability, depending on the location and size of deletions. So far, three broad deletion regions of 21q have been correlated with the clinical phenotype. RESULTS: We described the clinical and genetic features of three family members (father and two siblings) and other two unrelated patients with very wide range in age of diagnosis. All of them showed intellectual disability with very variable symptoms, from mild to severe, and carried 21q interstitial deletions with different sizes and position, as detected by conventional karyotype and array-CGH. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided additional cases of partial 21q deletions, allowing to better delineate the genotype-phenotype correlations. In contrast to previous observations, we showed that deletions of the 21q proximal region are not necessarily associated with severe phenotypes and, therefore, that mild phenotypes are not exclusively related to distal deletions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing 21q deletions in adult patients associated with mild phenotypes, mainly consisting of neurobehavioral abnormalities, such as obsessive-compulsive disorders, poor social interactions and vulnerability to psychosis.