The Perinatal Assessment of Paternal Affectivity (PAPA): Italian validation of a new tool for the screening of perinatal depression and affective disorders in fathers.

BACKGROUND: Questionnaires for the screening of paternal perinatal psychological distress are based on clinical manifestations expressed by women, showing limitations in capturing the wide array of signs and symptoms exhibited by men. The current study aimed to validate the Perinatal Assessment of Paternal Affectivity, a new self-report tool for the screening of paternal depressive and affective disorder. METHOD: This study used a cross-sectional design with a 3-month test-retest, involving respectively 385 (T1) and a sub-sample of 111(T2) fathers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to test structural validity and concurrent validity was assessed by Spearman correlations. We assessed reliability using McDonald's ω and ordinal alpha. Group differences in PAPA scores based on sociodemographic were also tested. RESULTS: The CFA reported a one factor structure as the optimal solution. The PAPA also showed adequate reliability and internal consistency as well as acceptable test-retest indices. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations between PAPA total score and standardized test scores. Non-Italian fathers and fathers who experienced recent stressful life events reported higher PAPA scores. LIMITATIONS: Our sample was not homogeneous in terms of nationality and most of the participants, were from Northern Italy. Some risk factors associated with paternal parental psychological distress (e.g., unplanned pregnancy) have not been considered. CONCLUSION: This study provides initial evidence of validity and reliability of the PAPA as a brief and sensitive screening tool to detect signs and symptoms of paternal affective disorder during both prenatal and postnatal period.

Fetal neurosonography at 31-35 weeks reveals altered cortical development in pre-eclampsia with and without small-for-gestational-age fetus.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pattern of fetal cortical development in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (PE), with and without a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetus, compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including singleton pregnancies complicated by normotensive SGA (birth weight < 10th centile) (n = 77), PE with an appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetus (n = 76) or PE with a SGA fetus (n = 67), and 128 uncomplicated pregnancies (normotensive AGA) matched by gestational age at ultrasound. All pregnancies underwent detailed neurosonography, using a transabdominal and transvaginal approach, at 31-35 weeks' gestation to assess the depth of the insula, Sylvian fissure, parieto-occipital sulcus, cingulate sulcus and calcarine sulcus. All measurements were adjusted for biparietal diameter (BPD). In addition, a grading score of cortical development was assigned to each brain structure, ranging from Grade 0 (no development) to Grade 5 (maximum development). Univariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Similar to findings in previous studies, normotensive pregnancies with a SGA fetus showed significant differences in cortical development compared with controls, with reduced Sylvian fissure depth adjusted for BPD (14.5 ± 2.4 vs 16.6 ± 2.3; P < 0.001) and increased insula depth adjusted for BPD (33.2 ± 2.0 vs 31.8 ± 2.0; P < 0.001). Interestingly, a similar cortical development pattern was observed in PE pregnancies with a SGA fetus and in PE pregnancies with an AGA fetus, manifested by reduced Sylvian fissure depth adjusted for BPD (14.2 ± 2.3 and 14.3 ± 2.3 vs 16.6 ± 2.3; P < 0.001 for both) and greater insula depth adjusted for BPD (33.2 ± 2.1 and 32.8 ± 1.7 vs 31.8 ± 2.0; P < 0.001 for both) compared with controls. No significant differences were observed in parieto-occipital, cingulate sulcus or calcarine sulcus depth across the study groups. The Sylvian fissure was scored as Grade 4 in significantly more (93.2% vs 59.5%) and as Grade 5 in significantly fewer (2.7% vs 37.3%) PE pregnancies with an AGA fetus compared with controls (P < 0.05 for both). These differences remained significant even after statistical adjustment for potential confounders, including ethnicity, low socioeconomic status, nulliparity, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, assisted reproductive technologies, smoking and fetal gender, with the application of Benjamini-Hochberg procedure for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: PE with or without SGA is associated with a differential fetal cortical development pattern which is similar to that described previously in small fetuses. Future research is warranted to elucidate better the mechanism(s) underlying these changes. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Relationship between infrared skin radiation and functional tests in patients affected by Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy: Part 2.

HYPOTHESIS: This study represents a second part of a recently published study about a new form of evaluation and development of rare genetic neurodegenerative diseases. The objective is to provide a more global vision of thermography with respect to the Emery-Dreifuss pathology, through the analysis of the data collection carried out for one year. The basic hypothesis is that thermography could become a valid tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of this pathology because is a very specific tool for registering temperature changes produced by a constant degenerative evolution of this muscular dystrophy.

Relationship between infrared skin radiation and muscular strength tests in patients affected by Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.

Considering that infrared thermography is presented as a diagnostic technique for non-invasive, non-ionizing, fast and easy to use imaging and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a clinical condition that seems to be related to changes in the emission of infrared radiation at the skin level due to its neurodegenerative character, we have conducted an investigation by infrared thermography and the use of functional strength tests in the lower limbs in a family of 4 affected members of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy to try to establish a relationship between the evolution of the disease and the emission of infrared radiation in this pathology at the lower limb level and provide a more general view of this disease for a better evaluation and monitoring of the disease.

Is infrared thermography (IRT) a possible tool for the evaluation and follow up of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy? A preliminary study.

HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis of this work is that infrared thermography could become a valid tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of the Emery-Dreifuss disease due to putative temperature changes produced by a constant degenerative evolution of this muscular dystrophy. TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: To justify this hypothesis we proposed a pilot study with 2 brothers affected of Emery-Dreifuss who present a very different age, with the principal objective to evidence a possible evolution of this pathology. Acquisition and comparison of images of computerized axial tomography (CT) and thermography (IRT) of the distal limbs in 2 affected brothers. DATA AND DISCUSSION: Important image correlations in the region of the thighs and the posterior region of the legs have been highlighted. The comparison between the CT and the thermography showed how the first results are encouraged and promising and open a possible new line of research on the evaluation and follow-up of this disease. Despite this, a larger number of studies are needed to validate the thermography as a diagnostic technique and follow-up of this pathology.

Premature placental aging in term small-for-gestational-age and growth-restricted fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive assessment of the placental aging process in small term fetuses classified as being small-for-gestational age (SGA) or having fetal growth restriction (FGR) through analysis of senescence and apoptosis markers. METHODS: This was a prospective nested case-control study of singleton pregnancies delivered at term, including 21 control pregnancies with normally grown fetuses and 36 with a small fetus classified as SGA (birth weight between the 3rd and 9th percentiles and normal fetoplacental Doppler; n = 18) or FGR (birth weight < 3rd percentile and/or abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and/or uterine artery Doppler; n = 18). Telomerase activity, telomere length (quantified by comparing the amount of amplification product for the telomere sequence (T) to that of a single copy of the gene 36B4 (S)) and RNA expression of senescence (Sirtuins 1, 3 and 6) and apoptosis (p53, p21, BAX and Caspases 3 and 9) markers (analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCt method) were determined in placental samples collected at birth and compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Compared to pregnancies with a normally grown fetus, both SGA and FGR pregnancies presented signs of accelerated placental aging, including lower telomerase activity (mean ± SD, 12.8 ± 6.6% in controls vs 7.98 ± 4.2% in SGA vs 7.79 ± 4.6% in FGR; P = 0.008), shorter telomeres (mean ± SD T/S ratio, 1.20 ± 0.6 in controls vs 1.08 ± 0.9 in SGA vs 0.66 ± 0.5 in FGR; P = 0.047) and reduced Sirtuin-1 RNA expression (mean ± SD 2-ΔΔCt , 1.55 ± 0.8 in controls vs 0.91 ± 0.8 in SGA vs 0.63 ± 0.5 in FGR; P = 0.001) together with increased p53 RNA expression (median (interquartile range) 2-ΔΔCt , 1.07 (0.3-3.3) in controls vs 5.39 (0.6-15) in SGA vs 3.75 (0.9-7.8) in FGR; P = 0.040). FGR cases presented signs of apoptosis, with increased Caspase-3 RNA levels (median (interquartile range) 2-ΔΔCt , 0.94 (0.7-1.7) in controls vs 3.98 (0.9-31) in FGR; P = 0.031) and Caspase-9 RNA levels (median (interquartile range) 2-ΔΔCt , 1.21 (0.6-4.0) in controls vs 3.87 (1.5-9.0) in FGR; P = 0.037) compared with controls. In addition, Sirtuin-1 RNA expression, telomerase activity, telomere length and Caspase-3 activity showed significant linear trends across groups as severity of the condition increased. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated placental aging was observed in both clinical forms of late-onset fetal smallness (SGA and FGR), supporting a common pathophysiology and challenging the concept of SGA fetuses being constitutionally small. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Envejecimiento prematuro de la placenta en fetos pequeños para la edad gestacional y con restricción del crecimiento OBJETIVO: Realizar una evaluación integral del proceso de envejecimiento de la placenta en fetos a término clasificados como pequeños para la edad gestacional (PEG) o con restricción del crecimiento fetal (RCF) mediante el análisis de los marcadores de senescencia y apoptosis. MÉTODOS: Este fue un estudio prospectivo de casos y controles anidados de embarazos únicos a término, que incluyó 21 embarazos de control con fetos de crecimiento normal y 36 con un feto clasificado como PEG (peso al nacer entre los percentiles 3o y 9o y Doppler fetoplacentario normal; n=18) o con RCF (peso al nacer menor del percentil 3o y/o relación cerebroplacentaria anómala y/o Doppler de la arteria uterina; n=18). La actividad de la telomerasa, la longitud de los telómeros (cuantificada comparando la cantidad de producto de amplificación para la secuencia de telómeros (T) con la de una sola copia del gen 36B4 (S)) y la expresión del ARN de la senescencia (Sirtuinas 1, 3 y 6) y los marcadores de apoptosis (p53, p21, BAX y Caspasas 3 y 9) (analizados usando el método 2-∆∆Ct ) se determinaron en muestras de placenta obtenidas en el momento del nacimiento y se compararon entre los tres grupos. RESULTADOS: En comparación con los embarazos con un feto de crecimiento normal, tanto los embarazos PEG y con RCF presentaron signos de envejecimiento placentario acelerado, como una menor actividad de la telomerasa (media ± SD, 12,8 ± 6,6% en los controles frente a 7,98 ± 4,2% en PEG frente a 7,79 ± 4,6% en RCF; P=0,008), telómeros más cortos (media ± SD razón T/S, 1,20 ± 0,6 en los controles frente a 1,08 ± 0,9 en PEG frente a 0,66 ± 0,5 en RCF; P=0,047) y expresión reducida de la Sirtuina 1 en el ARN (media ± SD 2-∆∆Ct , 1,55 ± 0,8 en los controles frente a 0,91 ± 0,8 en PEG frente a 0,63 ± 0,5 en RCF; P=0,001), junto con una mayor expresión del p53 en el ARN (mediana (rango intercuartil) 2-∆∆Ct , 1,07 (0,3-3,3) en los controles frente a 5,39 (0,6-15) en PEG frente a 3,75 (0,9-7,8) en RCF; P=0,040). Los casos de RCF presentaron signos de apoptosis, con un aumento de los niveles en ARN de la Caspasa 3 (mediana (rango intercuartil) 2-∆∆Ct , 0,94 (0,7-1,7) en los controles frente a 3,98 (0,9-31) en RCF; P=0,031) y Caspasa 9 (mediana (rango intercuartil) 2-∆∆Ct , 1,21 (0,6-4,0) en los controles frente a 3,87 (1,5-9,0) en RCF; P=0,037) en comparación con los controles. Además, la expresión de la Sirtuina 1 en el ARN, la actividad de la telomerasa, la longitud de los telómeros y la actividad de la Caspasa 3 mostraron tendencias lineales significativas entre los grupos en función del aumento de la severidad de la anomalía. CONCLUSIONES: Se observó un envejecimiento acelerado de la placenta en ambas formas clínicas de tamaño pequeño del feto de inicio tardío (PEG y RCF), lo que apoya una fisiopatología común y pone en tela de juicio el concepto de que los fetos PEG son en pequeños por su propia condición.

Transgenerational transmission of small-for-gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transgenerational transmission of small-for-gestational age (SGA). METHODS: This was a cohort study of a random sample of 2043 offspring delivered between 1975 and 1993 at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, aneuploidy or genetic syndrome, major birth defects, severe mental disease and macrosomia. Eligible individuals were contacted and those with at least one offspring were included in the study. Participants were classified according to the presence of SGA (defined as birth weight < 10th percentile) at birth. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the presence of SGA or placenta-mediated disease (defined as the presence of SGA, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and/or placental abruption) in the following generation. RESULTS: Of 623 individuals who agreed to participate, 152 (72 born SGA and 80 born appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA)) were reported to have at least one child. Descendants of SGA individuals presented with a lower birth-weight percentile (median, 26 (interquartile range (IQR), 7-52) vs 43 (IQR, 19-75); P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of SGA (40.3% vs 16.3%; P = 0.001) and placenta-mediated disease (43.1% vs 17.5%; P = 0.001) than did the offspring of AGA individuals. After adjustment for confounding variables, parental SGA background was associated with an almost three-fold increased risk of subsequent SGA or any placenta-mediated disease in the following generation. This association was stronger in SGA mothers than in SGA fathers. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence suggesting a transgenerational transmission of SGA, highlighting the importance of public health strategies for preventing intrauterine growth impairment. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Theoretical basis for a new approach of studying Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy by means of thermography.

INTRODUCTION: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a clinical condition characterized by neuro-skeletal and cardiac impairments. By means of thermography, an image acquisition technique that allows the recording of the heat emitted by objects or bodies, news insight can be obtained insights about the evaluation and follow-up of this disease. Actually, musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of counseling and access to rehabilitation services and are some of the most important problems that affect the quality of life of many people. There are urgent both clinical and research needs for the assessment and follow-up of patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and the thermography is a rapid, non-invasive, easy to use and objective technique that analyzes the temperature of the examined tissue. HYPOTHESIS: The main aim is to offer a new possible hypothesis of validating the thermography techniques that support the evaluation and clinical follow-up of the Emery-Dreifuss dystrophy. To carry out this work we rely on the evidence of the existing bibliography. To perform this work and to evaluate the current situation on this topic, a systematic review was carried and after the application of an automatic and manual filter, inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 0 articles was obtained. Unfortunately, there is a lack of articles that relate the use of thermography in the Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Due to the absence of information, we have expanded the search to articles concerning the use of thermography in relation to alterations of the musculoskeletal system compatible with those of Emery-Dreifuss, genetic diseases related to the X chromosome and more generally muscular atrophy. Based on other studies and results carried out in diseases that show signs and symptoms similar to Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, we believe that a new line of translational research could be opened with novel findings and we think that thermography could be an optimal tool for the clinical monitoring of this pathology. We believe that it would be of a great importance to carry out an observational study, to lay the foundations for future works, that relate thermography to the Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophies.

EFNB2 haploinsufficiency causes a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.

Ephrin B2, one of the ligand of the EphB receptors, is involved in a complex signaling pathway regulating the development of the nervous system, neuronal migration, erythropoiesis and vasculogenesis. We report a patient with a de novo variant in EFNB2 and a family in which segregates a 610-kb deletion at chromosome 13q33 encompassing only ARGLU1 and EFNB2 genes. The de novo variant was observed in a patient with anal stenosis, hypoplastic left ventricle and mild developmental delay. The deletion was identified in 2 sibs with congenital heart defect and mild developmental delay. One of the affected sibs further had myoclonic epilepsy and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The carrier mother was apparently asymptomatic. Because EFNB2 is located in the subtelomeric region of 13q chromosome, we reviewed the previous reports of terminal 13q deletion. We suggest that haploinsufficiency of the EFNB2 could be at the origin of several clinical features reported in 13qter deletions, including intellectual disability, seizures, congenital heart defects, anorectal malformation and hearing loss.

Elevated ß-lactam concentrations associated with neurological deterioration in ICU septic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although ß-lactams are considered to have a safe therapeutic profile, neurotoxicity has been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the association between ß-lactam concentrations and neurological alterations in septic ICU patients. METHODS: Retrospective study on all ICU patients who were treated with meropenem (MEM), piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) or ceftazidime/cefepime (CEF) and in whom at least one ß-lactam trough concentration (C min) was determined. Drug levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography; C min was normalized to the clinical breakpoint of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (as determined by EUCAST) for each drug (C min/MIC). Changes in neurological status were evaluated using changes in the neurological sequential organ failure assessment score (ΔnSOFA) using the formula: ΔnSOFA = nSOFA(day of TDM) - nSOFA(ICU admission). Worsening neurological status (NWS) was defined as a ΔnSOFA ≥ 1 for an nSOFA on admission of 0-2. RESULTS: We collected 262 C min in 199 patients (130 MEM, 85 TZP, 47 CEF). Median APACHE II score and GCS on admission were 17 and 15, respectively. Overall ICU mortality was 27 %. There were no differences in the occurrence of NWS between antibiotics (39% for MEM, 32% for TZP and 35% for CEF). The occurrence of NWS increased with increasing C min/MIC ranges (P = 0.008); this correlation was found for TZP (P = 0.05) and MEM (P = 0.01), but not for CEF. C min/MIC was an independent predictive factor for NWS (OR 1.12 [1.04-1.20]). CONCLUSION: We found a correlation between high ß-lactam trough concentrations and increased occurrence of neurological deterioration in septic ICU patients. Although our data cannot determine causality, monitoring of ß-lactam levels should be considered when deterioration of neurological status occurs during critical illness.

Antinociceptive activity of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol non-ionic microemulsions.

Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), the major psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa L., has been widely studied for its potential pharmaceutical application in the treatment of various diseases and disturbs. This sparingly soluble terpeno-phenolic compound is not easy to handle and to be formulated in pharmaceutical preparations. The aim of this work was to develop a stable aqueous Delta(9)-THC formulation acceptable for different ways of administration, and to evaluate the therapeutic properties of the new Delta(9)-THC based preparation for pain treatment. Due to the thermodynamic stability and advantages of microemulsion based systems, the study was focused on the identification of aqueous microemulsion based systems containing Delta(9)-THC. Oil in water Delta(9)-THC microemulsions were individuated through phase diagrams construction, using the non-ionic surfactant Solutol HS15, being this surfactant acceptable for parenteral administration in human. A selected microemulsion samples containing 0.2 wt% of Delta(9)-THC, stable up to 52 degrees C, was successfully assayed on animal models of pain. Significant antinociceptive activity has been detected by both intraperitoneal and intragastric administration of the new Delta(9)-THC pharmaceutical preparation. The effect has been highlighted in shorter time if compared to a preparation of the same active principle based on previously reported conventional preparation.

A comparison of continuous subcutaneous paliperidone infusion and repeated subcutaneous injection of risperidone free-base in rats.

It is proposed that to achieve a therapeutic effect in schizophrenia patients, dopamine D(2)-receptor occupancy by antipsychotics within the striatum must exceed 60-65%. However, at high levels of D(2)-receptor occupancy, the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is increased. Following oral dosing of antipsychotics, peaks and troughs in plasma drug concentrations may be mirrored by fluctuations in D(2)-receptor occupancy. Paliperidone, a novel antipsychotic available as extended-release tablets (paliperidone ER), is the major active metabolite of risperidone and exhibits a plasma pharmacokinetic profile with reduced peak-trough fluctuations and consistent D(2)-receptor occupancy compared with conventional oral antipsychotic formulations. Using formulations that resemble those in clinical practice, this study provides a preclinical evaluation of the pharmacological properties of paliperidone ER and risperidone immediate-release formulation in terms of consistent antipsychotic efficacy over time and extrapyramidal symptom liability. Significant fluctuations in inhibition of d-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion were observed for repeated subcutaneous (SC) risperidone injections, whereas stable inhibitory efficacy was demonstrated during continuous SC paliperidone infusion. Similarly, significant fluctuations in latency on-bar were observed with repeated SC risperidone injections, whereas significantly lower latency on-bar was demonstrated following continuous SC paliperidone infusion. These results in an animal model suggest that although risperidone and paliperidone demonstrate similar pharmacologic effects, continuous administration of paliperidone achieves more stable antipsychotic efficacy with reduced motor impairment, akin to the effects observed with paliperidone ER in clinical studies.

Effect of acute exercise on low molecular weight thiols in plasma.

An important defence against free radicals is represented by plasma low molecular weight (LMW) thiols that compose a dynamic system of reduced and oxidized forms able to act as a buffer redox system. This study examined the effect of an acute graded exercise bout on LMW thiols in 16 young subjects (six sedentaries and 10 athletes). Blood analysis was performed before and immediately after the exercise and total and reduced thiols were measured in order to evaluate the thiol redox status. Findings suggested that the exercise test proposed was not enough to imbalance the redox status of all LMW thiols. However, when the redox status was evaluated for each thiol, it was evident that homocysteine (Hcy) redox status was significantly different after physical activity. In particular, we found a lower level of reduced Hcy after the exercise test both in sedentaries and in athletes. We concluded that duration and intensity of the proposed exercise were not enough to promote a reactive oxygen species production able to imbalance the redox thiols status and that the lowering of the reduced Hcy form may be due to the effect produced during the effort on the synthesis and/or removal processes of Hcy.

Archival, demographic and genetic studies define a Sardinian sub-isolate as a suitable model for mapping complex traits.

Genetic isolates represent exceptional resources for the mapping of complex traits but not all isolates are similar. We have selected a genetic and cultural isolate, the village of Talana from an isolated area of Sardinia, and propose that this population is suitable for the mapping of complex traits. A wealth of historical and archive data allowed the reconstruction of the demographic and genealogical history of the village. Key features of the population, which has grown slowly with no significant immigration, were defined by using a combination of historical, demographic and genetic studies. The genealogy of each Talana inhabitant was reconstructed and the main maternal and paternal lineages of the village were defined. Haplotype and phylogenetic analyses of the Y chromosome and characterisation of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups were used to determine the number of ancestral village founders. The extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) was evaluated by the analysis of several microsatellites in chromosomal region Xq13.3, which was previously used to asses the extension of LD. Genealogical reconstructions were confirmed and reinforced by the genetic analyses, since some lineages were found to have merged prior to the beginning of the archival records, suggesting an even smaller number of founders than initially predicted. About 80% of the present-day population appears to derive from eight paternal and eleven maternal ancestral lineages. LD was found to span, on average, a 5-Mb region in Xq13.3. This suggests the possibility of identifying identical-by-descent regions associated with complex traits in a genome-wide search by using a low-density marker map. The present study emphasises the importance of combining genetic studies with genealogical and historical information.

Identification of a new candidate locus for uric acid nephrolithiasis.

Renal stone formation is a common multifactorial disorder, of unknown etiology, with an established genetic contribution. Lifetime risk for nephrolithiasis is approximately 10% in Western populations, and uric acid stones account for 5%-10% of all stones, depending on climatic, dietary, and ethnic differences. We studied a small, isolated founder population in Sardinia, characterized by an increased prevalence of uric acid stones, and performed a genomewide search in a deep-rooted pedigree comprising many members who formed uric acid renal stones. The pedigree was created by tracing common ancestors of affected individuals through a genealogical database based on archival records kept by the parish church since 1640. This genealogical information was used as the basis for the study strategy, involving screening for alleles shared among affected individuals, originating from common ancestors, and utilization of large pedigrees to obtain greater power for linkage detection. We performed multistep linkage and allele-sharing analyses. In the initial stage, 382 markers were typed in 14 closely related affected subjects; interesting regions were subsequently investigated in the whole sample. We identified two chromosomal regions that may harbor loci with susceptibility genes for uric acid stones. The strongest evidence was observed on 10q21-q22, where a LOD score of 3.07 was obtained for D10S1652 under an affected-only dominant model, and a LOD score of 3.90 was obtained using a dominant pseudomarker assignment. The localization was supported also by multipoint allele-sharing statistics and by haplotype analysis of familial cases and of unrelated affected subjects collected from the isolate. In the second region on 20q13.1-13.3, multipoint nonparametric scores yielded suggestive evidence in a approximately 20-cM region, and further analysis is needed to confirm and fine-map this putative locus. Replication studies are required to investigate the involvement of these regions in the genetic contribution to uric acid stone formation.

A pre-existing infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium modulates anti-Cryptococcus neoformans and anti-Candida albicans activities in human macrophages.

Mycobacterium avium is a facultative intracellular microorganism, able to survive and multiply within mammalian macrophages by circumventing antimicrobial mechanisms. In this study we hypothesize that pre-existing M. avium infection could result in macrophage superinfections by other microorganisms. We found that 24 h after ingestion of M. avium at a low multiplicity of infection, macrophages are unable to efficiently produce superoxide anions when over-stimulated with phorbol esters, and that the generation of oxidative burst is only partially restored 72 h after bacteria ingestion. We also demonstrate that intracellular killing of Cryptococcus neoformans is markedly impaired in human macrophages that have previously ingested M. avium (but not other bacteria such as Escherichia coli). This inhibitory effect is observed with live mycobacteria, but not when heat-inactivated bacteria are ingested. In contrast, when Candida albicans is given to macrophages instead of C. neoformans, an enhancement of intracellular killing is observed, suggesting that cytocidal mechanisms other than respiratory burst are involved in the anti- Candidacidal activity of macrophages.

Myocilin Gln368stop mutation and advanced age as risk factors for late-onset primary open-angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile open-angle glaucoma has been found to be associated with molecular defects in the myocilin (MYOC) gene. Most of the defects are missense mutations located in the third exon. The Gln368stop mutation has recently been found in several cases of late-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of glaucoma risk in a relatively homogeneous genetic population. METHODS: A clinical study was performed in all living members of a 5-generation family. DNA analysis was performed for studying association with genetic markers and identifying the mutation. RESULTS: We identified the Gln368stop molecular defect in 19 patients with POAG, 5 patients with ocular hypertension, and 22 healthy carriers. We compared affected and unaffected carriers based on age at onset and last examination, respectively. Besides the presence of 3 young patients with POAG (<40 years old), the number of glaucomatous patients in the advanced age group increased. CONCLUSIONS: The penetrance of glaucoma increases with age in Gln368stop carriers, but some remain unaffected at advanced age and others are affected at an early age. This suggests that additional risk factors are operating within this family, which may be identified by a genome-wide linkage search in this large pedigree. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The myocilin Gln368stop mutation shows a good genotype-phenotype correlation and should be investigated in all familiar cases of chronic POAG. This may be important for early diagnosis and periodical checkups of presymptomatic individuals belonging to these families.

Identification of a founder BRCA2 mutation in Sardinia.

Sardinian population can be instrumental in defining the molecular basis of cancer, using the identity-by-descent method. We selected seven Sardinian breast cancer families originating from the northern-central part of the island with multiple affected members in different generations. We genotyped 106 members of the seven families and 20 control nuclear families with markers flanking BRCA2 locus at 13q12-q13. The detection of a common haplotype shared by four out of seven families (60%) suggests the presence of a founder BRCA2 mutation. Direct sequencing of BRCA2 coding exons of patients carrying the shared haplotype, allowed the identification of a 'frame-shift' mutation at codon 2867 (8765delAG), causing a premature termination-codon. This mutation was found in breast cancer patients as well as one prostate and one bladder cancer patient with shared haplotype. We then investigated the frequency of 8765delAG in the Sardinian breast cancer population by analysing 270 paraffin-embedded normal tissue samples from breast cancer patients. Five patients (1.7%) were found to be positive for the 8765delAG mutation. Discovery of a founder mutation in Sardinia through the identity-by-descent method demonstrates that this approach can be applied successfully to find mutations either for breast cancer or for other types of tumours.

Development of a nested PCR for detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid.

We report the development of a nested-PCR-based assay for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were assessed. The technique was then applied to 40 cerebrospinal fluid samples. We obtained positive reactions for all 21 clinical samples from patients who had been previously diagnosed as having cryptococcal meningitis by conventional techniques and negative reactions for all 19 negative controls. Nested PCR is here compared with other diagnostic methods currently used in patients' follow-up exams during anticryptococcal therapy.

Molecular basis of open-angle glaucoma in Italy.

Glaucoma is a group of ocular diseases characterized by an optic neuropathy in which degeneration of retinal ganglion cells leads to a characteristic excavation of the optic nerve head. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) can be subdivided into two groups according to age of onset:- 1. the more common middle- to late-age onset, chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) diagnosed after the age of 40 years; 2. the rarer juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG), which is diagnosed between the age of 3 years and early adulthood. Recently, the gene coding for the trabecular meshwork-induced glucocorticoid response protein (TIGR), located in chromosome 1 (1q23-25), was found mutated in patients affected by POAG. In this work we describe the clinical and molecular genetic features of several Italian families affected by autosomal dominant POAG, collected in various regions of Italy.