Biallelic mutations in DYNC2LI1 are a rare cause of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EvC) is a chondral and ectodermal dysplasia caused by biallelic mutations in the EVC, EVC2 and WDR35 genes. A proportion of cases with clinical diagnosis of EvC, however, do not carry mutations in these genes. To identify the genetic cause of EvC in a cohort of mutation-negative patients, exome sequencing was undertaken in a family with 3 affected members, and mutation scanning of a panel of clinically and functionally relevant genes was performed in 24 additional subjects with features fitting/overlapping EvC. Compound heterozygosity for the c.2T>C (p.Met1?) and c.662C>T (p.Thr221Ile) variants in DYNC2LI1, which encodes a component of the intraflagellar transport-related dynein-2 complex previously found mutated in other short-rib thoracic dysplasias, was identified in the 3 affected members of the first family. Targeted resequencing detected compound heterozygosity for the same missense variant and a truncating change (p.Val141*) in 2 siblings with EvC from a second family, while a newborn with a more severe phenotype carried 2 DYNC2LI1 truncating variants. Our findings indicate that DYNC2LI1 mutations are associated with a wider clinical spectrum than previously appreciated, including EvC, with the severity of the phenotype likely depending on the extent of defective DYNC2LI1 function.

DJ-1 modulates mitochondrial response to oxidative stress: clues from a novel diagnosis of PARK7.

DJ-1 mutations are associated to early-onset Parkinson's disease and accounts for about 1-2% of the genetic forms. The protein is involved in many biological processes and its role in mitochondrial regulation is gaining great interest, even if its function in mitochondria is still unclear. We describe a 47-year-old woman affected by a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive, early-onset parkinsonism plus distal spinal amyotrophy, cataracts and sensory-neural deafness associated with a novel homozygous c.461C>A [p.T154K] mutation in DJ-1. Patient's cultured fibroblasts showed low ATP synthesis, high ROS levels and reduced amount of some subunits of mitochondrial complex I; biomarkers of oxidative stress also resulted abnormal in patient's blood. The clinical pattern of multisystem involvement and the biochemical findings in our patient highlight the role for DJ-1 in modulating mitochondrial response against oxidative stress.

Mutations in the IRBIT domain of ITPR1 are a frequent cause of autosomal dominant nonprogressive congenital ataxia.

Congenital ataxias are nonprogressive neurological disorders characterized by neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay and ataxia, variably associated with intellectual disability and other neurological or extraneurological features. We performed trio-based whole-exome sequencing of 12 families with congenital cerebellar and/or vermis atrophy in parallel with targeted next-generation sequencing of known ataxia genes (CACNA1A, ITPR1, KCNC3, ATP2B3 and GRM1) in 12 additional patients with a similar phenotype. Novel pathological mutations of ITPR1 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, type 1) were found in seven patients from four families (4/24, ∼16.8%) all localized in the IRBIT (inositol triphosphate receptor binding protein) domain which plays an essential role in the regulation of neuronal plasticity and development. Our study expands the mutational spectrum of ITPR1-related congenital ataxia and indicates that ITPR1 gene screening should be implemented in this subgroup of ataxias.

A novel mutation in NDUFB11 unveils a new clinical phenotype associated with lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia.

NDUFB11, a component of mitochondrial complex I, is a relatively small integral membrane protein, belonging to the "supernumerary" group of subunits, but proved to be absolutely essential for the assembly of an active complex I. Mutations in the X-linked nuclear-encoded NDUFB11 gene have recently been discovered in association with two distinct phenotypes, i.e. microphthalmia with linear skin defects and histiocytoid cardiomyopathy. We report on a male with complex I deficiency, caused by a de novo mutation in NDUFB11 and displaying early-onset sideroblastic anemia as the unique feature. This is the third report that describes a mutation in NDUFB11, but all are associated with a different phenotype. Our results further expand the molecular spectrum and associated clinical phenotype of NDUFB11 defects.

Microcephaly, intractable seizures and developmental delay caused by biallelic variants in TBCD: further delineation of a new chaperone-mediated tubulinopathy.

Microtubule dynamics play a crucial role in neuronal development and function, and several neurodevelopmental disorders have been linked to mutations in genes encoding tubulins and functionally related proteins. Most recently, variants in the tubulin cofactor D (TBCD) gene, which encodes one of the five co-chaperones required for assembly and disassembly of α/ß-tubulin heterodimer, were reported to underlie a recessive neurodevelopmental/neurodegenerative disorder. We report on five patients from three unrelated families, who presented with microcephaly, intellectual disability, intractable seizures, optic nerve pallor/atrophy, and cortical atrophy with delayed myelination and thinned corpus callosum on brain imaging. Exome sequencing allowed the identification of biallelic variants in TBCD segregating with the disease in the three families. TBCD protein level was significantly reduced in cultured fibroblasts from one patient, supporting defective TBCD function as the event underlying the disorder. Such reduced expression was associated with accelerated microtubule re-polymerization. Morpholino-mediated TBCD knockdown in zebrafish recapitulated several key pathological features of the human disease, and TBCD overexpression in the same model confirmed previous studies documenting an obligate dependency on proper TBCD levels during development. Our findings confirm the link between inactivating TBCD variants and this newly described chaperone-associated tubulinopathy, and provide insights into the phenotype of this disorder.

A large view of CYP21 locus among Sicilians and other populations: identification of a novel CYP21A2 variant in Sicily.

BACKGROUND: Several mutations in CYP21 locus cause 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). The most common mutations are widespread among different geographic areas and their frequencies have been also reported to differ among certain populations. AIM: To obtain a large view on the frequencies of the most common mutations in the CYP21 locus, in Sicily, in the Mediterranean and other major geographic areas worldwide. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and eight unrelated CYP21A2 alleles leading 21-OHD in Sicily were genetically typed and compared with other series previously reported in Sicily and in surrounding regions. An analysis of the frequencies of the different geographic areas was also carried out. CYP21A2 typing was carried out using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), for the detection of the CYP21A2 deletion, while sequencing analysis was performed to evaluate all the missense/non-sense mutations. RESULTS: Our study revealed that p.V281L (44.4%), I2splice (21.6%) and p.P30L (11.2%) were very frequent alleles, del8bp (0.4%) was found very rarely in Sicily and a novel mutation leading to non-classical phenotype, p.L198F, was also discovered in this population. Allele frequencies were found to be significantly different from previously observed frequencies in Sicily. In addition, here we present the most significant frequency modifications among different geographic areas worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: As the distribution of the disease CYP21A2 alleles is heterogeneous around the world, the knowledge of the relative distributions allows a better management of 21-OHD for fetuses and newborns in different geographic areas.

[Carotid body tumor. An often misdiagnosed disease]. / Chemodectoma carotideo. Una entità spesso misconosciuta.

Chemodectomas are uncommon neoplasms, born by glomic cell of extra-adrenegic system. Usually, these neoplasms are benign and non functioning, but when they are more than 4 cm can induce a neuro-vascular compressive syndrome. In this study the Authors propose the guidelines for diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic management, of these tumors according to their experience.

[Differentiated thyroid cancers]. / I carcinomi tiroidei differenziati.

The Authors, after a review of the topic of thyroid cancer, focus on the epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid cancers. They then describe their own case series and their many years' experience in treating the patients affected by this pathology, which is generally regarded as having low malignancy. Nowadays the Authors consider the treatment of choice the total thyroidectomy with central compartment lymphectomy, eventually associated with metabolic radiotherapy.

Persistent episomal transgene expression in liver following delivery of a scaffold/matrix attachment region containing non-viral vector.

An ideal gene therapy vector should enable persistent transgene expression without limitations of safety and reproducibility. Here we report the development of a non-viral episomal plasmid DNA (pDNA) vector that appears to fulfil these criteria. This pDNA vector combines a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) with a human liver-specific promoter (alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT)) in such a way that long-term expression is enabled in murine liver following hydrodynamic injection. Long-term expression is demonstrated by monitoring the longitudinal luciferase expression profile for up to 6 months by means of in situ bioluminescent imaging. All relevant control pDNA constructs expressing luciferase are unable to sustain significant transgene expression beyond 1 week post-administration. We establish that this shutdown of expression is due to promoter methylation. In contrast, the S/MAR element appears to inhibit methylation of the AAT promoter thereby preventing transgene silencing. Although this vector appears to be maintained as an episome throughout, we have no evidence for its establishment as a replicating entity. We conclude that the combination of a mammalian, tissue-specific promoter with the S/MAR element is sufficient to drive long-term episomal pDNA expression of genes in vivo.

[Hyperparathyroidism from mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Case report]. / Iperparatiroidismo da adenoma paratiroideo a localizzazione mediastinica. Caso clinico.

The authors, after reviewing parathyroid gland diseases, their location, and the modern strategies that can be used for their pre-operative detection, describe a case of primary hyperparathyroidism which recently came to their attention. The use of a combination of instrumental techniques (US, scintigraphy and SPEcT) enabled them to establish, prior to surgery, the mediastinal ectopic site of the parathyroid adenoma. Mini-invasive surgery proved to be the optimal technique to performing a targeted surgical excision that reduced the operative time and the hospitalisation.

Evaluation of serum CA 125 levels in patients with pelvic pain related to endometriosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical value of the serum CA 125 level for diagnosing and determining the severity of endometriosis and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Eighty-six women who underwent operative laparoscopy were enrolled. Sixty-nine women with endometriosis and 17 without endometriosis participated in this study. In all of the patients, endometriosis was diagnosed and classified into stages according to the Revised American Fertility Society (R-AFS) classification. The mean serum CA 125 levels were determined in each patient. We also investigated the relationship between serum CA 125 concentration and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia in the study group. The mean serum CA 125 levels of women with endometriosis were higher than those of the control group (p<0.050). However, the mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in stage IV than in other stages of endometriosis according to the R-AFS classification. On the other hand, the percentage of patients with serum CA 125 levels >35 U/mL was elevated in the subgroups with severe dyspareunia and severe dysmenorrhea versus the asymptomatic subgroup but the differences had no statistical significance. In conclusion, CA 125 serum levels were related to endometriosis and R-AFS score in the evaluated patient series. No correlation was found between serum levels of CA 125 and pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.

[Surgical treatment of uninodular gotter. Personal experience]. / Trattamento chirurgico dei noduli unici della tiroide. Esperienza personale.

The Authors report their surgical experience in patients with uninodular goitre, and stress the trends in management benign and malignant lesions. The total thyroidecromy is the first choice. In some well selecrioned cases it is possible a videoassisted approach.

[Riedel's thyroiditis. Personal experience]. / La tiroide di Riedel. Esperienza personale.

The Riedel's thyroiditis, also called "wood's thyroiditis", is a rare chronic "inflammatory" disease of unknown etiology, relatively frequent in female >45-50 years, characterized by a fibrotic process that pervades thyroid and neighbouring structures (vessels, muscles, oesophagus, trachea upper- mediastinum). The authors discuss about three cases of Riedel's thyroiditis and report the outcome after total thyroidectomy in two cases and sub-total resection in the other one.