Congenital Anosmia and Facial Emotion Recognition.

Major functions of the olfactory system include guiding ingestion and avoidance of environmental hazards. People with anosmia report reliance on others, for example to check the edibility of food, as their primary coping strategy. Facial expressions are a major source of non-verbal social information that can be used to guide approach and avoidance behaviour. Thus, it is of interest to explore whether a life-long absence of the sense of smell heightens sensitivity to others' facial emotions, particularly those depicting threat. In the present, online study 28 people with congenital anosmia (mean age 43.46) and 24 people reporting no olfactory dysfunction (mean age 42.75) completed a facial emotion recognition task whereby emotionally neutral faces (6 different identities) morphed, over 40 stages, to express one of 5 basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, or sadness. Results showed that, while the groups did not differ in their ability to identify the final, full-strength emotional expressions, nor in the accuracy of their first response, the congenital anosmia group successfully identified the emotions at significantly lower intensity (i.e. an earlier stage of the morph) than the control group. Exploratory analysis showed this main effect was primarily driven by an advantage in detecting anger and disgust. These findings indicate the absence of a functioning sense of smell during development leads to compensatory changes in visual, social cognition. Future work should explore the neural and behavioural basis for this advantage.

Dental composite biodeterioration in the presence of oral Streptococci and extracellular metabolic products.

OBJECTIVE: Secondary caries is a primary cause of early restoration failure. While primary dental caries has been extensively researched, our knowledge about the impact of secondary caries on dental restorations is relatively limited. In this study, we examined how different clinically relevant microbially-influenced environments impact the degradation of nano-filled (FIL) and micro-hybrid (AEL) dental composites. METHODS: Material strength of two commercial dental composites was measured following incubation in aqueous media containing: i) cariogenic (Streptococcus mutans) and non-cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis) grown on sucrose or glucose, ii) abiotic mixtures of artificial saliva and sucrose and glucose fermentation products (volatile fatty acids and ethanol) in proportions known to be produced by these microorganisms, and iii) abiotic mixtures of artificial saliva and esterase, a common oral extracellular enzyme. RESULTS: Nano-filled FIL composite strength decreased in all three types of incubations, while micro-hybrid AEL composite strength only decreased significantly in biotic incubations. The strength of both composites was statistically significantly decreased in all biotic incubations containing both cariogenic and non-cariogenic bacteria beyond that induced by either abiotic mixtures of fermentation products or esterase alone. Finally, there were no statistically significant differences in composite strength decrease among the tested biotic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that conditions created during the growth of both cariogenic and non-cariogenic oral Streptococci substantially reduce commercial composite strength, and this effect warrants further study to identify the mechanism(s). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental biofilms of oral Streptococci bacteria significantly affect the mechanical strength of dental restorations.

Recommendations for laboratory workflow that better support centralised amalgamation of genomic variant data: findings from CanVIG-UK national molecular laboratory survey.

BACKGROUND: National and international amalgamation of genomic data offers opportunity for research and audit, including analyses enabling improved classification of variants of uncertain significance. Review of individual-level data from National Health Service (NHS) testing of cancer susceptibility genes (2002-2023) submitted to the National Disease Registration Service revealed heterogeneity across participating laboratories regarding (1) the structure, quality and completeness of submitted data, and (2) the ease with which that data could be assembled locally for submission. METHODS: In May 2023, we undertook a closed online survey of 51 clinical scientists who provided consensus responses representing all 17 of 17 NHS molecular genetic laboratories in England and Wales which undertake NHS diagnostic analyses of cancer susceptibility genes. The survey included 18 questions relating to 'next-generation sequencing workflow' (11), 'variant classification' (3) and 'phenotypical context' (4). RESULTS: Widely differing processes were reported for transfer of variant data into their local LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), for the formatting in which the variants are stored in the LIMS and which classes of variants are retained in the local LIMS. Differing local provisions and workflow for variant classifications were also reported, including the resources provided and the mechanisms by which classifications are stored. CONCLUSION: The survey responses illustrate heterogeneous laboratory workflow for preparation of genomic variant data from local LIMS for centralised submission. Workflow is often labour-intensive and inefficient, involving multiple manual steps which introduce opportunities for error. These survey findings and adoption of the concomitant recommendations may support improvement in laboratory dataflows, better facilitating submission of data for central amalgamation.

Central Nervous System (CNS) T-Cell Lymphoma as the Presenting Manifestation of Late-Onset Combined Immunodeficiency.

Late-onset combined immunodeficiency (LOCID), considered now a subset of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) disorders, is characterized by a predominantly T-cell immune defect. LOCID has a distinct phenotype from CVID with a greater risk of lymphoproliferative complications. As compared to the CVID cohort, LOCID patients also have increased rates of splenomegaly and granulomatous disease. We report a case of central nervous system (CNS) T-cell lymphoma in a 67-year-old male as the presenting manifestation of LOCID. The patient achieved a complete response to therapy after 4 cycles of MATRix (methotrexate, cytarabine, and thiotepa) and 2 cycles of ICE (etoposide, carboplatin, and ifosfamide) chemotherapy followed by CNS-directed autologous stem cell transplantation. Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement was commenced to address the underlying immunodeficiency. Pulmonary lesions consistent with a diagnosis of granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) were identified as a second noninfectious complication of LOCID. The pulmonary lesions resolved after chemotherapy and immunoglobulin replacement. The patient remains well with no evidence of disease recurrence now more than 18 months after completion of therapy. This is the first reported case of T-cell lymphoma in an adult patient with LOCID. Further study is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of transformation of B- or T-cells to lymphoproliferation in primary immunodeficiency patients as well as research to inform evidence-based therapeutic strategies for this challenging cohort of patients.

Relationships between composite roughness and Streptococcus mutans biofilm depth under shear in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of substrate, surface roughness, and hydraulic residence time (HRT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilms growing on dental composites under conditions relevant to the oral cavity. METHODS: Dental composites were prepared with varying amounts of polishing and incubated in a CDC bioreactor with an approximate shear of 0.4 Pa. S. mutans biofilms developed in the bioreactors fed sucrose or glucose and at 10-h or 40-h HRT for one week. Biofilms were characterized by confocal laser microscopy (CLM). Composite surface roughness was characterized by optical profilometry, and pre- and post-incubation composite surface fine structure and elemental composition were determined using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). RESULTS: Polishing had a significant impact on surface roughness, varying by a factor of 15 between the polished samples and the unpolished control. S. mutans biofilms grew statistically significantly thicker on the unpolished composites. Biofilm thickness was greater at shorter 10-h HRT compared to 40-h HRT. In most cases, biofilm thickness was not statistically significantly greater in sucrose-fed bioreactors than in glucose-fed bioreactors. SEM-EDS analysis did not identify any significant change in elemental composition after aging. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate characterization of oral cavity biofilms must consider shear forces and the use of techniques that minimize alteration of the biofilm structure. Under shear, surface smoothness is the most important factor determining S. mutans biofilm thickness followed by HRT, while sucrose presence did not result in significantly greater biofilm thickness. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The obvious patterns of S. mutans growth along sub-micron scale grooving created by the polishing process suggested that initial biofilm attachment occurred in the shear-protected grooves. These results suggest that fine polishing may help prevent the initial formation of S. mutans biofilms compared to unpolished/coarse polished composites.

Mapping absorbency in cellulosic fibres with iron tracers.

Understanding water absorbency in paper is challenging as fibre swelling and out-of-plane deformation occur simultaneously during liquid imbibition. Liquid absorption is commonly accessed by gravimetric tests, which provides limited information on the local spatial and temporal distribution of fluid in the substrate. In this work, we developed iron tracers to map liquid imbibition in paper by in situ precipitation of iron oxide nanoparticles during passage of the wetting front. The iron oxide tracers were found to be robustly attached to the cellulosic fibres. After liquid absorption tests, absorbency was investigated by mapping the distribution of iron in 3D using X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) and in 2D using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We demonstrate a difference in tracer distribution between the wetting front and the fully saturated region supporting that imbibition proceeds in two phases, i.e. liquid percolation through the cell wall initially prior to filling of the external pore spaces. Critically, we demonstrate that these iron tracers enhance image contrast and allow for new imaging modalities in µCT for fibre networks.

Logistic Regression Analysis of LC-MS/MS Data of Monomers Eluted from Aged Dental Composites: A Supervised Machine-Learning Approach.

Compound identification by database searching that matches experimental with library mass spectra is commonly used in mass spectrometric (MS) data analysis. Vendor software often outputs scores that represent the quality of each spectral match for the identified compounds. However, software-generated identification results can differ drastically depending on the initial search parameters. Machine learning is applied here to provide a statistical evaluation of software-generated compound identification results from experimental tandem MS data. This task was accomplished using the logistic regression algorithm to assign an identification probability value to each identified compound. Logistic regression is usually used for classification, but here it is used to generate identification probabilities without setting a threshold for classification. Liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem MS was used to analyze the organic monomers leached from resin-based dental composites in a simulated oral environment. The collected tandem MS data were processed with vendor software, followed by statistical evaluation of these results using logistic regression. The assigned identification probability to each compound provides more confidence in identification beyond solely by database matching. A total of 21 distinct monomers were identified among all samples, including five intact monomers and chemical degradation products of bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA), oligomers of bisphenol-A ethoxylate methacrylate (BisEMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA). The logistic regression model can be used to evaluate any database-matched liquid chromatography-tandem MS result by training a new model using analytical standards of compounds present in a chosen database and then generating identification probabilities for candidates from unknown data using the new model.

Stoichiometric models of sucrose and glucose fermentation by oral streptococci: Implications for free acid formation and enamel demineralization.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to develop stoichiometric models of sugar fermentation and cell biosynthesis for model cariogenic Streptococcus mutans and non-cariogenic Streptococcus sanguinis to better understand and predict metabolic product formation. METHODS: Streptococcus mutans (strain UA159) and Streptococcus sanguinis (strain DSS-10) were grown separately in bioreactors fed brain heart infusion broth supplemented with either sucrose or glucose at 37 °C. Cell mass concentration and fermentation products were measured at different hydraulic residence times (HRT) to determine cell growth yield. RESULTS: Sucrose growth yields were 0.080 ± 0.0078 g cell/g and 0.18 ± 0.031 g cell/g for S. sanguinis and S. mutans, respectively. For glucose, this reversed, with S. sanguinis having a yield of 0.10 ± 0.0080 g cell/g and S. mutans 0.053 ± 0.0064 g cell/g. Stoichiometric equations to predict free acid concentrations were developed for each test case. Results demonstrate that S. sanguinis produces more free acid at a given pH than S. mutans due to lesser cell yield and production of more acetic acid. Greater amounts of free acid were produced at the shortest HRT of 2.5 hr compared to longer HRTs for both microorganisms and substrates. SIGNIFICANCE: The finding that the non-cariogenic S. sanguinis produces greater amounts of free acids than S. mutans strongly suggests that bacterial physiology and environmental factors affecting substrate/metabolite mass transfer play a much greater role in tooth or enamel/dentin demineralization than acidogenesis. These findings enhance the understanding of fermentation production by oral streptococci and provide useful data for comparing studies under different environmental conditions.

Germline predisposition to haematological malignancies: Best practice consensus guidelines from the UK Cancer Genetics Group (UKCGG), CanGene-CanVar and the NHS England Haematological Oncology Working Group.

The implementation of whole genome sequencing and large somatic gene panels in haematological malignancies is identifying an increasing number of individuals with either potential or confirmed germline predisposition to haematological malignancy. There are currently no national or international best practice guidelines with respect to management of carriers of such variants or of their at-risk relatives. To address this gap, the UK Cancer Genetics Group (UKCGG), CanGene-CanVar and the NHS England Haematological Oncology Working Group held a workshop over two days on 28-29th April 2022, with the aim of establishing consensus guidelines on relevant clinical and laboratory pathways. The workshop focussed on the management of disease-causing germline variation in the following genes: DDX41, CEBPA, RUNX1, ANKRD26, ETV6, GATA2. Using a pre-workshop survey followed by structured discussion and in-meeting polling, we achieved consensus for UK best practice in several areas. In particular, high consensus was achieved on issues regarding standardised reporting, variant classification, multidisciplinary team working and patient support. The best practice recommendations from this meeting may be applicable to an expanding number of other genes in this setting.

Phenotyping variants of tumefactive demyelinating lesions according to clinical and radiological features-A case series.

Background: Tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) are defined as lesions >2 cm on MRI of the brain. They are identified in a range of demyelinating diseases including massive demyelination due to Marburg's acute MS, Schilder's Disease, Balo's concentric sclerosis, and Tumefactive MS. Apart from the rare demyelinating variants which are often diagnosed histologically, there are no detailed data to phenotype TDLs. Methods: We describe the clinical and radiological features of four similar patients with very large TDLs (>4 cm), that are not consistent with the rare demyelinating variants and may represent a distinct phenotype. Results: All patients presented with hemiplegia and apraxia. The mean age at onset was 37 years with an equal sex distribution. All patients were diagnosed with Tumefactive demyelination based on MRI and CSF analysis, precluding the need for brain biopsy. All responded to potent immunotherapy (including high dose corticosteroids, plasma exchange, rituximab, and/or cyclophosphamide). The mean lag from diagnosis to treatment was 1 day. The median EDSS at presentation was six and recovery to a median EDSS of two occurred over 6 months. Conclusion: We propose that Tumefactive lesions larger than 4 cm are termed "Giant demyelinating lesions" (GDLs) not only on the basis of size, but a rapid and fulminant demyelinating presentation leading to acute, severe neurological disability that is, nonetheless, responsive to immunotherapy. Further clinical studies are required to ratify this proposed phenotype, establish the immunological profile and best treatment for such patients.

Cellulose Nanocrystal Gels with Tunable Mechanical Properties from Hybrid Thermal Strategies.

Gels are useful materials for drug delivery, wound dressings, tissue engineering, and 3D printing. These various applications require gels with different mechanical properties that can be easily tuned, also preferably excluding the use of chemical additives, which can be toxic or harmful to the body or environment. Here, we report a novel strategy to synthesize cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) gels with tunable mechanical properties. Sequential freeze-thaw cycling and hydrothermal treatments were applied to CNC suspensions in different orders to give a series of pristine CNC hydrogels. Freeze-drying of the hydrogels also afforded a series of lightweight CNC aerogels. The mechanical properties of the hydrogels and aerogels were studied by rheological measurements and compression strength tests, respectively. Specifically, the complex modulus of CNC hydrogels ranged from 160 to 32,000 Pa among eight different hydrogels, while Young's modulus of CNC aerogels was tuned from 0.114 to 3.98 MPa across five different aerogels. The microstructures of aerogels were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microtomography, which revealed remarkable differences between the materials. Solvent sorption-desorption tests showed that the reinforced networks have excellent stability over the basic CNC aerogels in ethanol, demonstrating a material enhancement from the preparation strategies we developed. Thermal conductivity and thermal stability for these materials were also investigated, and it was found that the lowest thermal conductivity was 0.030 W/m K, and all of the aerogels are generally stable below 280 °C. These characteristics also expand the potential applications of this family of CNC gels to lightweight supporting materials and thermal insulators.

UK recommendations for SDHA germline genetic testing and surveillance in clinical practice.

SDHA pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) are identified in up to 10% of patients with paraganglioma and phaeochromocytoma and up to 30% with wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Most SDHA PGV carriers present with an apparently sporadic tumour, but often the pathogenic variant has been inherited from parent who has the variant, but has not developed any clinical features. Studies of SDHA PGV carriers suggest that lifetime penetrance for SDHA-associated tumours is low, particularly when identified outside the context of a family history. Current recommended surveillance for SDHA PGV carriers follows an intensive protocol. With increasing implementation of tumour and germline large panel and whole-genome sequencing, it is likely more SDHA PGV carriers will be identified in patients with tumours not strongly associated with SDHA, or outside the context of a strong family history. This creates a complex situation about what to recommend in clinical practice considering low penetrance for tumour development, surveillance burden and patient anxiety. An expert SDHA working group was formed to discuss and consider this situation. This paper outlines the recommendations from this working group for testing and management of SDHA PGV carriers in clinical practice.

Germline mismatch repair (MMR) gene analyses from English NHS regional molecular genomics laboratories 1996-2020: development of a national resource of patient-level genomics laboratory records.

OBJECTIVE: To describe national patterns of National Health Service (NHS) analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) genes in England using individual-level data submitted to the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) by the NHS regional molecular genetics laboratories. DESIGN: Laboratories submitted individual-level patient data to NDRS against a prescribed data model, including (1) patient identifiers, (2) test episode data, (3) per-gene results and (4) detected sequence variants. Individualised per-laboratory algorithms were designed and applied in NDRS to extract and map the data to the common data model. Laboratory-level MMR activity audit data from the Clinical Molecular Genetics Society/Association of Clinical Genomic Science were used to assess early years' missing data. RESULTS: Individual-level data from patients undergoing NHS MMR germline genetic testing were submitted from all 13 English laboratories performing MMR analyses, comprising in total 16 722 patients (9649 full-gene, 7073 targeted), with the earliest submission from 2000. The NDRS dataset is estimated to comprise >60% of NHS MMR analyses performed since inception of NHS MMR analysis, with complete national data for full-gene analyses for 2016 onwards. Out of 9649 full-gene tests, 2724 had an abnormal result, approximately 70% of which were (likely) pathogenic. Data linkage to the National Cancer Registry demonstrated colorectal cancer was the most frequent cancer type in which full-gene analysis was performed. CONCLUSION: The NDRS MMR dataset is a unique national pan-laboratory amalgamation of individual-level clinical and genomic patient data with pseudonymised identifiers enabling linkage to other national datasets. This growing resource will enable longitudinal research and can form the basis of a live national genomic disease registry.

The impact of long-term aging in artificial saliva media on resin-based dental composite strength.

Although salivary liquid can degrade constituents in resin-based dental composites in short-term incubations, there is a knowledge gap on how longer-term aging impacts their bulk strength. We address this through extended aging studies with resin-based dental composites in different environments. Two commercial composites (FIL and AEL) were aged aseptically at 37°C in air (A, control), artificial saliva (AS), and esterase enzyme amended AS (EAS). Diametral and pushout strength were measured after periods of 120-180 days. At 120 days, the diametral strength of composites aged in air was 69.9 ± 11.0 and 57.7 ± 3.31 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively. These were significantly greater compared to composites aged in AS (32.1 ± 7.01 and 46.2 ± 9.38 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively) or EAS (36.7 ± 8.49 and 43.5 ± 5.51 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively). In contrast, pushout strength for both composites were smaller in A compared to those aged in AS and EAS, results attributed to AS absorption and polymer expansion. No significant change in either diametral or pushout strength occurred after 120 days. There was no significant difference between aging in AS and EAS, suggesting that esterase did not significantly decrease the bulk material strength to a greater extent than AS under the test conditions. Aqueous diffusivities for the composites ranged from 8.4 to 11 × 10-13  m2 /s, with associated porosities ranging from 0.06% to 0.10%. These results indicate that saturation of a typical dental composite occurs over a time frame of 4-5 months, longer than typical aging studies. Together, the results demonstrate the importance of aging time on composite strength.

The MANGO study: a prospective investigation of oxygen enhanced and blood-oxygen level dependent MRI as imaging biomarkers of hypoxia in glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain cancer, with a 5-year survival rate of ~5% and most tumours recurring locally within months of first-line treatment. Hypoxia is associated with worse clinical outcomes in GBM, as it leads to localized resistance to radiotherapy and subsequent tumour recurrence. Current standard of care treatment does not account for tumour hypoxia, due to the challenges of mapping tumour hypoxia in routine clinical practice. In this clinical study, we aim to investigate the role of oxygen enhanced (OE) and blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) MRI as non-invasive imaging biomarkers of hypoxia in GBM, and to evaluate their potential role in dose-painting radiotherapy planning and treatment response assessment. Methods: The primary endpoint is to evaluate the quantitative and spatial correlation between OE and BOLD MRI measurements and [18F]MISO values of uptake in the tumour. The secondary endpoints are to evaluate the repeatability of MRI biomarkers of hypoxia in a test-retest study, to estimate the potential clinical benefits of using MRI biomarkers of hypoxia to guide dose-painting radiotherapy, and to evaluate the ability of MRI biomarkers of hypoxia to assess treatment response. Twenty newly diagnosed GBM patients will be enrolled in this study. Patients will undergo standard of care treatment while receiving additional OE/BOLD MRI and [18F]MISO PET scans at several timepoints during treatment. The ability of OE/BOLD MRI to map hypoxic tumour regions will be evaluated by assessing spatial and quantitative correlations with areas of hypoxic tumour identified via [18F]MISO PET imaging. Discussion: MANGO (Magnetic resonance imaging of hypoxia for radiation treatment guidance in glioblastoma multiforme) is a diagnostic/prognostic study investigating the role of imaging biomarkers of hypoxia in GBM management. The study will generate a large amount of longitudinal multimodal MRI and PET imaging data that could be used to unveil dynamic changes in tumour physiology that currently limit treatment efficacy, thereby providing a means to develop more effective and personalised treatments.

Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Injury and Role of Toxic Heavy Metals in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease that affects millions of adults every year. Major risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which affect millions of adults worldwide. CKD is characterized by cellular injury followed by permanent loss of functional nephrons. As injured cells die and nephrons become sclerotic, remaining healthy nephrons attempt to compensate by undergoing various structural, molecular, and functional changes. While these changes are designed to maintain appropriate renal function, they may lead to additional cellular injury and progression of disease. As CKD progresses and filtration decreases, the ability to eliminate metabolic wastes and environmental toxicants declines. The inability to eliminate environmental toxicants such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury may contribute to cellular injury and enhance the progression of CKD. The present review describes major molecular alterations that contribute to the pathogenesis of CKD and the effects of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury on the progression of CKD.

Reclassification of clinically-detected sequence variants: Framework for genetic clinicians and clinical scientists by CanVIG-UK (Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK).

PURPOSE: Variant classifications may change over time, driven by emergence of fresh or contradictory evidence or evolution in weighing or combination of evidence items. For variant classifications above the actionability threshold, which is classification of likely pathogenic or pathogenic, clinical actions may be irreversible, such as risk-reducing surgery or prenatal interventions. Variant reclassification up or down across the actionability threshold can therefore have significant clinical consequences. Laboratory approaches to variant reinterpretation and reclassification vary widely. METHODS: Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK is a multidisciplinary network of clinical scientists and genetic clinicians from across the 24 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratories and Clinical Genetics Services of the United Kingdom (NHS) and Republic of Ireland. We undertook surveys, polls, and national meetings of Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK to evaluate opinions about clinical and laboratory management regarding variant reclassification. RESULTS: We generated a consensus framework on variant reclassification applicable to cancer susceptibility genes and other clinical areas, which provides explicit recommendations for clinical and laboratory management of variant reclassification scenarios on the basis of the nature of the new evidence, the magnitude of evidence shift, and the final classification score. CONCLUSION: In this framework, clinical and laboratory resources are targeted for maximal clinical effect and minimal patient harm, as appropriate to all resource-constrained health care settings.

Unusual presentations of central nervous system myeloid sarcoma.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS), also termed 'chloroma' or 'granulocytic sarcoma', is a tumour mass consisting of myeloid blasts occurring at an anatomical site other than the bone marrow. MS occurs in up to 8% of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. While MS typically involves the skin or lymph nodes, almost any tissue can be affected, and symptoms largely depend on the organ involved and subsequent mass effect. We present a case series of patients that presented to a tertiary hospital with MS affecting the central nervous system over a 4-month period. These three cases demonstrate the vast spectrum of clinical presentations of MS and, furthermore, show rare examples of intramedullary spinal cord involvement and disseminated intraparenchymal brain disease.

The use of Sonidegib in the adjuvant and advanced phases of Sonic Hedge Hog Mutant Medulloblastomas.

Medulloblastomas are rare embryonal primary brain tumours originating in the cerebellum. Most medulloblastomas arising in adults are associated with mutations in the Sonic Hedge Hog (SHH) pathway. Patient 1 was prescribed Sonidegib for recurrent metastatic SHH mutated medulloblastoma multiple lines of treatment. His leptomeningeal disease responded after 3 months of therapy. The drug was continued for a further 3 months until progressive central nervous system (CNS) and leptomeningeal disease arose. Progression free survival (PFS) from initiation of Sonidegib of 3 months was observed (overall survival 8.8 years). Patient 2 presented with un-resectable SHH mutated meduloblastoma with high risk of relapse who received 14 months of adjuvant Sonidegib. Following biopsy she was treated with chemotherapy and cranio-spinal radiotherapy, followed by 14 months of adjuvant Sonigedib. She remains free of disease over 51 months later. Both clinical scenarios are poorly described in the literature or evaluated in clinical trials with Sonidegib.

Quantifying prediction of pathogenicity for within-codon concordance (PM5) using 7541 functional classifications of BRCA1 and MSH2 missense variants.

PURPOSE: Conditions and thresholds applied for evidence weighting of within-codon concordance (PM5) for pathogenicity vary widely between laboratories and expert groups. Because of the sparseness of available clinical classifications, there is little evidence for variation in practice. METHODS: We used as a truthset 7541 dichotomous functional classifications of BRCA1 and MSH2, spanning 311 codons of BRCA1 and 918 codons of MSH2, generated from large-scale functional assays that have been shown to correlate excellently with clinical classifications. We assessed PM5 at 5 stringencies with incorporation of 8 in silico tools. For each analysis, we quantified a positive likelihood ratio (pLR, true positive rate/false positive rate), the predictive value of PM5-lookup in ClinVar compared with the functional truthset. RESULTS: pLR was 16.3 (10.6-24.9) for variants for which there was exactly 1 additional colocated deleterious variant on ClinVar, and the variant under examination was equally or more damaging when analyzed using BLOSUM62. pLR was 71.5 (37.8-135.3) for variants for which there were 2 or more colocated deleterious ClinVar variants, and the variant under examination was equally or more damaging than at least 1 colocated variant when analyzed using BLOSUM62. CONCLUSION: These analyses support the graded use of PM5, with potential to use it at higher evidence weighting where more stringent criteria are met.